Nomadic Songbird

On The Needles

2012-02-11T15:03:00.001-08:00

Knitting is an art that produces such beautiful garments even using the simplest stitch. But it's also a very picturesque process. Thousands of knots shaping one continuous piece.

So I decided to share with you every project currently on my needles. Some will be finished by next week, other ones are more complex and will get my random few minutes over many weeks. Pictured are a mitten, a cable scarf, a mens scarf, an infinity scarf, and a beanie.

Have a lovely evening and an awesome weekend!

Xoxo, Courtney

Tremble

2012-02-07T22:10:00.001-08:00

We all tremble
Even the mother herself.
We cry "it's unfair!"; utter curses under breath.

Yes, I tremble.
With every vibration in my throat.
Every time I laugh out loud, or call goodbye as I put on my coat.

I've seen you tremble.
As you reach for another glass.
Your eyes were shaking the same way as the new face I saw on the telecast.

We all tremble.
Cause we're unstable on these feet.
We weren't meant to stand.
We'll tremble til we fall, if it'll bring us to our knees.

xoxo,
Courtney Ann

Wide Leg Delema

2012-02-01T20:07:00.001-08:00

Last week I purchased Gap wide leg trouser jeans for $10. An easy steal. But shortly after i got home I realized that pulling them off would not prove to be as easy. I'd done skinny, flare, bell bottom, and crop. But this was a whole new fit.

After discussing my dismay with my mum, I did my research via google and pinterest. And after trying stuff on came to a couple conclusions.

1. Shorter shirts or tucked in top. Anything too long makes weird bunching.

2. Chunky heels. Make sure the hem rests on the toe so your feet don't completely disappear.

So yeah! Here are my research pictures. Hopefully I'll do an outfit post soon!

Xoxo, Courtney Ann

A New Day

2012-01-16T12:01:00.001-08:00

This week I finished my biggest order yet and feel so freed by it. I'm now full of new ideas, inspiration and energy. In the next few months I plan to post WAY more project posts, fun ideas, and DIY's. Stay posted loves!

xoxo,
Courtney Ann

2011 In A Nutshell

2012-01-01T13:34:00.000-08:00

Well! Happy New Year everyone! This past year has been a really good one for me. It's shaped me and grown me a lot. I grew up, grew closer to a lot of wonderful people, I figured out how to do well in school, I STATED A BUSINESS!! (well...an etsy); I dyed my hair ginger on accident, and I realized how very much I need the insanely wonderful God I serve.

Ultimately I didn't deserve how good 2011 was to me. And I know I don't deserve the incredible days ahead, challenges and all. Bring it on;)

Xoxo, Courtney

P.S.
If you hadn't noticed, I still can't add pics. Haha

In A Little While

2011-12-30T20:44:00.000-08:00

Yes, I'm aware of the fact that I've been absent from the blogging world lately and about two humans read my blog now. It was kinda inevitable when my computer crashed (see my last post). But this morning something beautiful knocked on my door...well, technically the FedEx man did...but he delivered my iPod touch!!!

Now I plan to be back on top of things, Posting with more pictures and rambling with pretty adjectives. You know how I do. So yeah! I'm pretty pumped.

Once I figure out how to add pictures to my posts in this thing It'll be lots of fun. Have a very happy new year. Make wise decisions tomorrow night to start the year right!

Xoxo,
Courtney

iBook-less (a story)

2011-11-30T20:36:00.000-08:00

A couple weeks ago i realized i spend WAYYYY too much time on Pinterest and reading oh so many lovely blogs. It became a problem (or and a slight addiction) and i knew it was keeping me from doing all the things i need & love to do. So i fasted pinterest and blogs for like a week and a half. It was sorta hard, but i ended up not using my computer for full days. It was great to know how much i don't NEED my old little iBook. (though i love it so much and thank God every day for it).

After i ended the fast i still cut back exceedingly on my online time. It's been grand. Then one day my little iBook decided that it's screen had seen too much of my face and was sick of looking at me so it blacked out mid-blog. Lovely timing iBook, lovely timing. After a restart it went back to normal until it suddenly did a primary color light show. So pretty. But so not. Now every time i restart it i pray it will work for more than one hour.

I'm really thankful that i did that fast because i know how little i truly depend on the internet. The only bummer is that i run an online business. HUGE downside. But it's working right now. And i'm thankful for every single second. I'm just glad i'm able to laugh about it's quirky personality. God has given me a heart for the extra-patience-required....

Now i'm praying and saving money.

xoxo,
Courtney

P.S.

Any suggestions to name my bipolar computer??

Christmas Time is Here

2011-11-13T13:43:00.000-08:00

To all of you people who are in denial, go to a mall and turn on the radio and embrace the most wonderful time of the year. *WHAT NOW*

Moving on.

Did you know i like making things? No? Well hi, I'm Courtney. And i like hand-making just about everything i can (as long as it's pretty). This Christmas season is going to be my most handmade year so far. While snooping the interweb (i also say "the youtube","the facebook" and "the walmart") i came across two freaking awesome holiday guides. They have everything from navajo blankets and beardos to doll houses and doilies. It's intense, i'm tellin ya!

The first is by my favorite HGTV star, interior designer, and fashionista, Emily Henderson. She inspired the whole bell bottom obsession. And i must say her "for her" section and the "teenager" section both feature dream come true things. I'm using all of it for inspiration. *surprise surprise* Here's the link!

The second is by Gifted Magazine. A little less DIYee but fun to look at and gather ideas and baby ideas which are apparently called inklings. I enjoy it quite a bit and would happily be a recipient of almost everything. (when i say that, it means i reeeeally want to make every item but probably won't). Here's the link!

Oh but please enjoy the last fall colors, apple cider, shoes without socks, etc. I still LOVE fall. Don't ever doubt that. Love to you all!

xoxo,
Courtney

Knowvember

2011-11-13T13:16:00.000-08:00

Well we all know about Movember. But "Knowvember"? This is new. Yep just made it up. These are things i know i need to do this November. This is why God gave me creativity. For genius plays on words. Oh wait....

Anywho, I mentioned this in my previous post. Basically a collage of things that represent my before-new-years-resolution.

1. I want to stop procrastinating with my knitting. Yes, i love doing it. Yes, i love making money. And yes, i love blessing other people. But i personally dread the first row of anything.

2. I need to list items on KnotHer (my etsy shop). It's the holiday season, aka prime time to sell knits and i just haven't done it in um 2 months.

3. I want to buy a hat or cowl from krochetkids. It's a cause i believe in and relate to. And i also want to find a way to make a difference using needlework like they do.

4. hehe i love hugs. We know this. But i want to express my love for others in every way. Ironically in the "giving season" you find yourself caught up in all the things you need to do to bless others that you forget about that whole "others" thing. Humans are strange really.

5. My dad gave me a sweet old gold watch yesterday that I'm psyched about. And it's going to remind me to use my time wisely. Today, i needed to rest. The needles and textbooks can wait til tonight.

6. That painted flower is a mum. Being home schooled, I'm around my "mum" far more than other teenagers. This season i want to bless my mum daily with my attitude and obedience and sometimes with my silence. (btw, she's the one that got me hooked on the whole "xoxo" thing)

7. Where can i find that Detroit shirt? Seriously so sweet. I love Detroit. But i want to learn to appreciate and believe in and give to it even more.

8. It's all about the benjamins baybay. Ok that's a lie. I need to prioritize, save, and spend my money the way that God desires me to. It's easy to splurge on holiday sale racks. Believe me.

9. Those raw stone earrings are gorgeous. I have so many opportunities to be around some of the most beautiful, godly girls in this rough city. In so many ways they are raw diamonds. Flawlessly designed, one of a kind cut, with a hard story. I want to be able to help them see their beauty, inside and out.

10. That is one intense yoga pose. Props to that chick. I just kinda threw that in there because yoga's something I'd like to challenge myself with more, regardless of how full my tummy is with sweets.

11. Jeez those boots are fantastic. I've wanted them since i saw similar ones in Nanny McPhee 2. Oh yes. They represent the way i wanna get "down and dirty". To press a little deeper in every area in my life. By new years I'll have to come up with even bigger challenges because I'll already be on top of my game.

Love to you all! Don't waste the holiday season. Savor it.

xoxo,
Courtney

Preparing for the End

2011-11-06T21:06:00.000-08:00

The title of this post sounds way deep and morbid. It's not though. I'm just having a reflective night as i realized 2011's nearly over.

Does anyone remember this post? It was my new year's resolutions. I remembered that i made that list a couple days ago and thought "Oh crap...i probably failed all of them.." So i hopped on over and read through them all and i've done remarkably better than i expected. (pathetic, right??) To name a few...

I wanted to express my love for others better and i found that compliments and hugs are totally my way to do that. (Who would've known?)

I wanted to fix my eyesight cause i was getting horrible eye headaches and i now wear reading glasses.

I wanted to protect my skin and my sensitive skin hasn't reacted to anything in a while and i only burnt once this summer. Woot hahaha

I ended up trading my floral obsession for more classic pieces.

I wanted to gain knowledge and wisdom and i mean, i'm still no Mohan. But i do think i've grown significantly and God has given me opportunities to speak his wise words to others.

I wanted to be healthier and have less random back pain. Success! New obsession? Yoga.

Ok so i failed on the handwriting one...(sorry mom)

I wanted to do really well in school. And this year i'm all A's and B's so far. Thank you Jesus.

I wanted to knit more and get better at it and oh boy have i!!!

I wanted to improve my piano and though i don't play as often as i did then, my fingers are way more comfortable in their sport of ivory. har har har

I wanted to study botany. I didn't really do that, but only because so many other learning opportunities have been placed in my lap.

I wanted to develop a calm, positive demeanor and be unselfish. I'm nowhere near perfect but that's why grace is never ending. So basically i'm still working on keeping the tape on my mouth.

All of this to say, 2011 was a year of great growth and though it had its many trials, it's been a great year.
No, i know it's NOT december 31st yet. But i wanted to get the reflecting thing overwith before i add any regrets. The next two months are going to ice the cake, cherry the cone, etc. And my heart's preparing. I'm making a polyvore mix for it right now.

Thank you for reading my rambling. I'll post my collage in a bit.

xoxo

I Made Bronzer (from scratch)

2011-10-09T20:11:00.000-07:00

It's been a dream of mine for a while to make my own makeup. So the other day i did my research. I found out a lot of useful information. SO glad i read some very helpful comments before making a very dangerous eyeliner...scary.... Anyway...

Most of the recipes called for fancy organic essential oils or strange plants that i don't have around the house. But i found a DIY for bronzer that used all things we had.

Cinnamon

Cocoa Powder

Baby Powder (apparently i didn't document it's presence)

Corn Starch

Sugar

The site doesn't actually have a recipe with measurements and such. It just kinda says to have at it and mix til you're satisfied with the shade.

So i did. And i failed a few times. (below is a failed attempt)

After some (much) trial and error i figured out that the best ingredients were cinnamon, baby powder and cocoa powder. In that order. The cinnamon adds the rich red hues, the cocoa adds the sunkissed tan, and the baby powder tones it down, gives it a base, and helps it to stay on skin.

I finally got the right mix!!! So i put it in a jar. The jar happened to be a baby food jar from '72 that my grandma had from my uncle's childhood.

Wa-la!!! I now have bronzer. But before i posted it, i wanted to try it out. Yesterday i wore it as blush. Today i wore it as bronzer. I dot some primer in main places along my face just to ensure its lasting through the day but i'm not sure it's needed. So here's a picture of it on me. Sadly i still look pale and crazy as ever. But i'm actually paler than that without the bronzer.

What i love about it is it's natural tone. No glitter, no shimmer. Just even, sunkissed looking skin.

So yeah! I encourage you to make your own, it's fast, it's cheap, and it smells like a cookie.

xoxo,

Courtney Ann

Menswear & Me

2011-10-04T19:53:00.000-07:00

I've posted before about my love for classic style. But something else has made a modern entrance into the world of style that has captivated my full attention.

Menswear inspired women's fashion.

I'm thankful for Coco Chanel's revolution of jackets and blazers and clean lines into fashion. But i'm also talking about the "modern" take on it all.
The frumpy sweaters, saggy t-shirts, crisp blazers, leather shoes and coffee-drinker hats all paired with skinny jeans. Yes.
I think it's the comfiness of the sweaters and the clean lines of the jackets and/or button ups that appeals so strongly. It's practical, it's comfortable, it's easy, it's classy. (It's also very fall-y)

And i've come across several lookbooks that epitomize what i love about it.

◈ Brixton is a clothing company that i think is British. I skip past the actual menswear to the chic menswear inspired women's on page 5.

◈ Maison Scotch has a classier, more put together thing going on. Even more inspiring fashion wise. I love their combination of trim jackets, sweet skirts, and somehow making it all look tousled. (not gonna lie my hair looks JUST like that lately.)

◈ Chloe always does a fabulous job of feminizing menswear very tastefully. This is fall '10 i believe.

Source: katearends.com via Courtney on Pinterest

◈ And if you're looking for a good laugh that doesn't apply to this post at all. Here's another lookbook. Over at Glamour Kills they dress just like me, but have one napoleon dynamite sense of humor. LOL

So yeah. Just had to share my latest thing with you all.
xoxo,
Courtney Ann

OhMyLanta I'm Back

2011-10-01T18:36:00.000-07:00

Long story short, i was in Florida for just shy of a month, and then i was BUSY. Lame excuse, i'm aware.
But i'm back. And i'm sooo glad to finally have settled back into the routine of real life and school.

I have oh so many blog posts swirling around in my head but several require pictures that i have yet to take. So i'm just gonna give you an update full of random fun stuff. Because you know, random is how i roll.

❁ Florida was incredible. Of course. I spent nearly every day body boarding on the little gulf waves (though a few days they got pretty wild from the storms) or relaxing by the pool. I'll post pics of pics when i develop the film.

❁ I started school. Since all that happened last year in February,which you can see here; i've learned how to study and get things done properly and i'm very confident that this school year will be far less stressful.

❁ I decided that i'm going to start making my own makeup. Well, a few products. Quality makeup's so expensive, so why not figure out how to make my own blush, eye liner, and lipstick? I can do that!

❁ I made a frame out of sticks. Talk about saving the earth! ;)

❁ I OPENED MY ETSY SHOP!!!!!!!!!!! Something i've been planning on doing since the spring. It's called Knot Her (get it? knitting, knots, i'm a girl)
It's going swimmingly. Check it out and flaunt some of my knits!

❁ I'm a brunette again. I said bye-bye to the ginger hair before Florida and won't go down that path again.

❁ I started crocheting. Sewing, knitting, doodling, painting, crafting, and repurposing wasn't enough for me. Haha! The lovely Erin G is my crochet friend as well as my math teacher now.

❁ Last but not least, it's FALL!!!! My favorite season. I spent the day at an outdoor mall with Suzanne sipping latte's and buying sweaters. LOVE IT.

Sorry for the lack of pictures/excitement. But now i can put together individual posts with details and pretty adjectives without shoving a huge update into it. More to come soon soon soon!!!

Happy weekend!
xoxo,
Courtney Ann

☀ Fill In The Blank Friday ☀

2011-08-19T21:07:00.000-07:00

1. The best day ever was... I think i have wayyy too many to name just one. But one that's been on my mind was the day my dad and i went on a 1.5 hour roadtrip in Florida last summer and listened to the best 80's music, drank peach shakes, laughed a lot and just made tons of sweet memories.

2. My favorite meal of the day is... I don't have a favorite meal of the day because i favor snack time, specifically avocado quesodillas.

3. This weekend... I'm going to FLORIDA!!!! It's finally here.

4. Never in my life have I... Left the country. But it's on the top of my life to-do list.

5. The only thing better than spending a day at the ocean is spending 21 DAYS at the ocean.

6. I could really do with some iced tea. We're always running out. Geee....i wonder why???

7. The most recent thing I bought myself was If food counts, then Subway. If not, then a vintage headscarf that i love.

I get these fun little things from here. feel free to join! :)

Happy weekend everyone!
If i don't post tomorrow, then wish me a "Bon Voyage" because i'm leaving for the Sunshine State on Sunday for 3 weeks. I'll miss blogging (even thought i've been crappy at it lately) But will be soaking up the sun.

xoxoxo,
Courtney Ann

☀

Obsession: Comfy

2011-08-01T21:57:00.000-07:00

When i'm shopping i kinda go through a list of questions mentally while deciding whether or not to purchase something.
1. Is it cute? (MOST important part of decision making when it comes to wardrobe)
2. Is it practical? (in other words, do i need it and/or will it get a lot of wear?)
3. Is it comfy? (cause unless it is the steal of a lifetime, i won't get it if it's not)

However, there are exceptions to this order. And that is when i find something and notice how extremely comfy or worn or cozy it looks or feels but wonder how tasteful it truly is. In that case the questions go like this.

1. It's comfy, yes?
2. Can i make it cute? (in other words, can i pull it off and make it still work to my advantage?)

VERY important to me is the snugglyness of what i wear. Here are some examples of cozy attire.

I stole a really ugly pair of thick socks from my mom and Riley says i look like an orphan when i wear them. But they're so comfy!!

Cosby sweaters. My favorite thing to look through at thrift stores. They're hilarious, yet so spacious and awesome.

Big comfy hoodies. mmm.

Jeggings. Now before you judge them strictly by their tightness, let me say that they are the comfiest pants because i can sit indian style in them and not worry about any ripping or cracking if you know what i mean. They're awesome.

Last but not least, hats. (because i couldn't find a good example of comfy tshirts). But i can't wait to wear my beige slouch beanie again. Oh how i've missed it's perfectness.

What are your favorite comfy things?
Have a snuggly week!
xoxo,
Courtney Ann

A Garden In Me

2011-07-27T14:25:00.000-07:00

"In simple humility, let our gardener, God, landscape you with the Word, making a salvation-garden of your life." -James 1.21

The most beautiful challenging verse in my opinion. It comes to mind very often throughout the day and it humbles me and inspires me and i pray that in this life there'd be less Courtney and way more of God's garden growing through my words and actions. So lovely.
It's called living. You should try it.

What inspires you?
(sorry i'm busy yet again, thus the slow posts)
Love you all! xoxo,
Courtney Ann

P.S.
this song is about our heart's being God's private garden. One of my favorites.
(the song starts a WHILE after the video starts and i didn't really watch it, its just the song.)

Swirly Hair

2011-07-20T18:32:00.000-07:00

When my little brother was even littler he use to tell my that he liked my "swirly hair". My hair's naturally a frizz puff of waves. Sometimes it decides to turn out perfectly curly. Other days (such as this one) it decides to hate my guts. Anyway, to go along with my hair obsession, i decided to

post inspiration pictures of lovely swirly locks.

(this one even has ombre)

So yeah. I'm curling my hair tomorrow.
YES i had a great time away and YES i'm glad to be home. 12 days away, new record!

xoxo,
Courtney Ann
:)

3.1 Hours

2011-07-08T10:26:00.000-07:00

I will be with my best friend in 3.1 hours. She lives an hour away and i haven't seen her since May. This time i will be with her for 7 days straight. That's a new record. We've been counting down to today for like a month.
If you know me, or you've read my blog for more than this month, you know about my Abby. She's the bestest bestie in the whole wide world. I'm so lucky to call her my bff. (Yes, the cheesiest paragraph i've ever posted) Anyway...
She's turning 17 tomorrow.
HOLY CRAP WHAT THE HECK WE'RE GROWING UP????!!!!??!?!?!

It's a little bit of a shock for both of us. We met when i was a dorky 11 year old who thought i was hot stuff and she was a little athletic toehead 13 year old who lived in t shirts.
And every single year we're left amazed by how much closer we've gotten. Our freshman and junior year has been rough, but her friendship helped me through. I love her to death. For her birthday, a bunch of us are having a picnic at a botanical garden. I'm a big fan.

So that's where i'll be this week. I hope you all have a splendid next 7 days.
Happye weekend!
xoxo,
Courtney Ann

Messy Messy

2011-07-02T20:38:00.000-07:00

My latest obsession? The messy bun. Easiest, fastest, one of the chic-est (is that a word???) hairstyles long hair can accomplish. I've experimented with just about every technique on this planet (or the fashion blogs i read) and still the cutest ones are always the ones i do without a mirror out of necessity. Ce la vie. So here are just a few pictures of the messy bun done right.

I know that the messy bun will help me through the sweaty days of camp ahead. (a week from Monday!!!)
Have a lovely weekend everyone!
xoxo,
Courtney Ann

P.S.
As soon as i perfect it, this will be my new obsession...

Ginger

2011-06-29T19:38:00.000-07:00

So. I'd been planning on doing the Ombre Locks that i talked about for a while. Which, if you didn't see the post, it's basically grown out roots done chic. The day before i was gonna dye it, Suzanne (my friend who was gonna do it) tells me that she's unsure if it'll work as well as we'd planned and told me to think of some other ideas.

So i did. And i found a picture of Lily Collins with caramelly light brown hair that i loved. I sent it to Suzanne. And it was all good.

In order to get hair that'd been dark brown and black for 4-5 years to light brown is QUITE the process. It included the most dreaded hair treatment of all.....BLEACH....dun dun dunnnn

After the bleach (which turned it yellow) we dyed it light brown. Thinking it would reach our goal. And now i'm ginger.

Having crazy hair makes me feel a little bit more like a teenager. Plus, it looks cute and brings out my eyes. But i've been having second thoughts all day...we'll see what happens. Any thoughts?

xoxo,

a ginger Courtney Ann

Coco Quotes

2011-06-24T12:38:00.000-07:00

I'm currently reading a section in a book on Coco Chanel, a revolutionary of couture. I'm a fan of classy, structured garments so i am very thankful for the impression she left on the fashion industry.
Yesterday i came across a bunch of quotes of hers that i absolutely love. So i thought i'd share them with you all.

"A girl should be two things; classy, and fabulous."

"I don't understand how a women can leave the house without fixing herself up a little- if only out of politeness. And then, you never know, maybe that's the day she has a date with destiny. And it's best to be as pretty as possible for destiny."

"In order to be irreplaceable, one must always be different."

"Elegance is not the prerogative of those who have just escaped from adolescence, but of those who have already taken possession of their future."

"Fashion fades, only style remains the same."

"How many cares one loses when one decides not to be something but to be someone."

"Look for the woman in the dress. If there is no woman, there is no dress."

"Some people think luxury is the opposite of poverty. It is not. It is the opposite of vulgarity."

"There are people who have money and people who are rich."

"Fashion is not something that exists in dresses alone. Fashion is in the sky, in the street, fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live and what is happening."

I hope you got a little inspiration from this. I know i did.
Have a classy Friday.
xoxo,
Courtney Ann

Hipster

2011-06-20T19:21:00.000-07:00

June 2011 by courtneyannie featuring a gold chain necklace

shorts AE, shirt Old Navy, sunglasses Betsey Johnson, bracelet vintage, earrings vintage, headband H&M, belt Gap, sneakers UO, necklace vinatge, mascara Sephora, hat Ben Sherman
This is a collage of my day-to-day summer outfits lately and it has been lovely.

Today after i bought my straw fedora my dad announced that i'm the family's first hipster. And my mom pointed out that i've lived most my life in the city, therefore, i'm not a hipster.
Then my dad and i started listing every random title used to describe me.

Egyption, cause my eyeliner.

Nomadic, cause my blog.

Bohemian, cause a hat i got for Christmas.

Vampire, cause i'm so pale all the time.

Plus Hipster cause my hat obviously. So all together i am an egyptian nomadic bohemian hipster vampire. It's a mouthful but it's who i am;) haha

Happy Monday!
xoxo,

Courtney Ann

I ♥ Dad

2011-06-18T20:15:00.000-07:00

I love my Dad.
Some of you might not know this, but i have one of, if not THE, most incredible Fathers in the known universe. And he was raised by an amazing father as well. Some of my Daddy's best characteristics are:

♦ Patience in tough situations.
Such as, when a little girl (yours truly) cries the entire time she's in line for her first roller coaster and cuts off the circulation in his arm by the end of the ride. On the way up the hill he turned to her and pointed out the lovely view from the top. But she closed her eyes and held her breath.

♦ Calm in the face of danger.
Like when a "bunny" in the garage turns out not to be a bunny and only the bravest can face the beast. Let's just say, we never saw that creature again.

♦ Joy in all circumstances.
Such as, when being fed burnt chicken and cold, over-salted rice an hour after dinner was suppose to be served and saying "Thanks for making dinner sweetie." with a compassionate smile on his face. The discouraged cook was very thankful to have such a sweet father that night.

♦ Trust when making big decisions.
Like when his second oldest daughter convinced him to order a cologne called "Dirty English" by Juicy Couture that neither of them had ever smelled before based solely on the hilarious review someone wrote about it. His trust that day was very rewarding. We're big fans of Dirty English.

♦ Encouraging the young.
I'm not great in the kitchen, but i did receive a VERY high compliment on some chocolate whoopie pies i made. "These very well may be, the BEST cookies ever made in this house." We moved into our house in September and he said this in February. But still, it made my day.

♦ Embracing the needy.
"Daddy, can i have a hug?" "Dad, do you want a hug?" "Dada, wanna snuggle?" "I bet you need a hug, Daddy..."
This may or may not be a daily occurrence....

♦ Teaching the children. Such as cheering on a 7 year old after she crashed her bike into the bushes at the bottom of a steep hill to climb back up and try again. After many tears, and angry grunts, she mastered the art of bike-riding that day.

So many happy (and humorous) memories. But he really is so amazing. I am who i am because of his love and discipline and discipleship all of my life. I am so incredibly thankful.

I love you sooooo much Daddy(:

Happy Father's Day!!!
(to you too Papa)
xoxo,
"Cling-Clee"

Sneaky Summer

2011-06-14T20:28:00.000-07:00

Summer is a sneaky little season. You long for it all winter and then WOAH i'm dying of heat. And just when you get use to it BOOM it's gone and so are all the leaves. This year, i'm not letting it go to waste. No sirree. Here are some of my goals for Summer 2011.

◊ I'm going to drink more water. (I'm slightly obsessed)

◊ I'm going to open an etsy shop at some point.

◊ I'm going to focus on loving more.

◊ I'm going to eat healthier. It's a good habit to start young.

◊ I'm going to only spend my money on things i've really thought through. (unless it's a deal i can't pass up of course)

◊ I'm going to laugh more. At myself, at life, at impatience.

◊ And i'm goning to enjoy being a teenager.

I'm sure i'll add more but those are the ones off the top of my head. What are your summer goals?

Happy Wednesday!
xoxo,
Courtney Ann

P.S.
I made a tumblr for the summer. I'll post and repost quick things that make me happy. Why not share a smile with all the depressed teenagers all over tumblr?

I ♥ Water

2011-06-11T18:56:00.000-07:00

I love it in the form of oceans

In the form of seas

In the form of pools

& in the form of ice

I love it in the form of rain

In the form of clouds

But mostly i love it in the form of water.

The healthiest and most important thing you can consume. 8 glasses a day is what we should be drinking. Not quite there yet, but i'm oh so close.

xoxo,
Courtney Ann

P.S.
I'm making tank tops out of old t-shirts. :)

Fill In The Blank Friday

2011-06-10T21:03:00.000-07:00

I REALLY enjoy doing these things. They remind me of random quizzes in magazines, which i also really enjoy.

1. This weekend I'm........ putting in hair feathers with Suzanne!

2. My last vacation was....... Florida last June.

3. My next vacation will be....... Siesta Key in August(:

4. My favorite way to relax is....... sipping ice tea and knitting while reading fashion blogs and listening to music.

5. When vacationing one should always....... bring more than 10 books....or maybe that's just me.

6. When vacationing one should never...... wake up early.

7. The best part about a vacation is....... savoring every single second of relaxation.

Btw, i get these from here.

xoxoxo,

Courtney Ann

P.S.

I ♥ water

To Own A Shop

2011-06-10T13:10:00.000-07:00

One of my absolute greatest, most thought of dreams is having my own vintage/handmade shop. If you've read my blog at all, or you know me even a little you know that it fits me completely.

In the past year i've come to love fashion far greater than ever before and it continues to grow. If i had a sewing space, more money for cute fabric, and a tad more patience i would be designing all the time. Though i know...it's no excuse (i'll sew something soon)

I would love to always be looking for more vintage pieces, to know a background on that fashion era, and to know what's real and what's not. (i wanna get a fashion history book really badly). And also to be thinking of new styles, techniques and embellishments to try. Perhaps to update some of the retro garments that come in and out of the shop.

It's my favorite dream right now. We'll see where life/God takes me.

In the mean time, my sister Riley and i are working on opening our own Etsy shop where we'll sell her amazing friendship bracelets along with my little knitted headbands, scarfs, necklushes, cowls, etc.
It's a mini dream come true. And i'm excited about it! I'll keep you posted on our shop's info when i have info to share.
Until then, have a wonderful Friday!
xoxoxo,
Courtney Ann

Oh The Irony.

2011-06-06T12:27:00.000-07:00

I find it humorous and slightly frustrating that talking about yourself is the easiest thing on earth to do because humans naturally think most about themselves. And yet, explaining why you are who you are and why you do what you do is one of the most brain-hurting, mind-puzzling, word-stuttering things you can try to do.
Basically, i talk too much about myself.

xoxo,
Courtney

P.S. i'm working on a cute and exciting post about one of my dreams and one of my teeny tiny dreams come true.

Linx

2011-06-03T21:08:00.000-07:00

No, not the animal Linx, links spelled cooler. Oh yes.
Anyway, i know i rarely do this but i decided to do a "link love" post. Sharing a few of my favorite links i've found recently. Cutsie, crafty, stylish things.

1. If you're into makeup (i am for sure), then here are 3 Eyeliner Trends. Though i must say, they're incredibly daring. So if you use them, PROPS TO YOU!

2. A DIY Baggy Tank. I'm a big fan of this how-to. And i have a big, soft, thrifted "italian" soccer shirt sitting in a drawer waiting for it's day to come.

3. Emma of Red Velvet (who has an entertaining blog) posted the recipe for these Nutella Sandwich Cookies and i REALLY want to eat one right now. Yummy yum yum.

4. I love how moustaches are like a trend right now. But this pillow is a tad over the top. It cracked me up. (but let's face it, we all really want one)

5. These are random, but i love random things. How about some Heart Shaped Paperclips? Si por favor!

6. My hair is just now long enough to do braid crowns or "maiden braids" and this How-To is gorgeous. I'm determined to get my hair to look that good in braid form.

I would love to post more, but it's late.
Much love to you all!
xoxo,
Courtney Ann

P.S.
Do you like the whole link post idea?

Flash

2011-06-02T05:42:00.000-07:00

I had a dream last night that i took a group picture on my film camera. But when i looked up from the camera, the people were permanently in that pose. And instead of freaking out, i admired what lovely art they made.

♥ Courtney Ann

I Can Almost Taste It.

2011-05-24T07:09:00.000-07:00

As most people know, it's almost Summer. It's so close i can taste it. But here's a sucky math problem...

End of the school year = tests, finals, exams = need to study + focus = less blogging

So basically i'll be posting tons less. I'll miss my little blog and all my sweet readers. But it's necessary. My near future consists of many glasses of iced tea, headaches, and cramming info into my brain. Aside from school though my life is awesome. Busy and happy am i(:

Have a good next few weeks. Much love to you all!

xoxo,
Courtney Ann

|||Stripes|||

2011-05-23T10:27:00.000-07:00

Basically my day to day wardrobe consists of jeans, or denim shorts, and a soft solid colored v-neck a size to big for me. Just the way i like it. But the thing is, i love patterns. I dedicated a whole post to floral prints and still only own a dress that's floral. So i decided to try to add more pattern to my wardrobe.

It all started when i bought this Breton Top from Urban Outfitters....

And i absolutely LOVE it. Since then i knitted a striped tube scarf.... And i plan on making and buying so many more things striped. They're fun and eye-catching without being obnoxious, and they're still as functional and basic as a solid v-neck. Hope your weekend was lovely! Tres Amour, Courtney Ann

Let The Sunshine In

2011-05-18T19:03:00.000-07:00

Today was....trying. And i could sit and wallow in my self-pity and stress. OR i could sing a song! Sadly it's not even a cool one that comes to mind in these times.
"So let the sunshine in, face it with a grin. Cause smiles never lose and frowners never win. So let the sunshine in, face it with a grin. Open up your heart and let the sunshine in." I don't even know who that song is by or where it's from or how everyone knows it....But it came to mind.

So in honor of the happy light jig playing in my subconscience, i will post some things that add a little sunshine to my life on rainy, hard days.

Playing Dress Up.
(from here)
Playing dress up is like designing a costume for the character you play.
If the world makes my life a drama, at least i will be prepared in an awesome costume.

My Best Friend.

A good friend is like an umbrella on a rainy day.

Windows.

Looking out a window is like looking at a moving framed photograph. There's just something about it. I'm weird.

Animals.

Man i love those things....

Knitting.

Knitting is knotty. hehe

My dreams of being super limber.

I doubt i'll ever achieve that goal, but the thought of it sometimes cheers me up. That's normal right?

And Psalms

Yummy.

Happy Wednesday night,
i'm gonna go eat something.
xoxo,
Courtney Ann

P.S.
I got an Anthropologie skirt that i'm sooo excited about! eeeek!

An Update & Ombre Locks.

2011-05-14T07:49:00.000-07:00

(I'm not a fan of Ashlee Simpson, but she's an example of Ombre Locks.)

It was made popular by Alexa Chung (a model who now designs, who's in the first picture) but hers is more of a bob.

So yeah. I haven't done anything fun with my hair in like 2 years. So i think it's about time:)

Oh and this has been a week where i've had to resist the temptation to chop my bangs again....But i'm growing it. I just have to keep telling myself that.

Thanks for reading my boring ramblings.

Don't get me wrong, my life is exciting. Just not my blog life. haha

Happy Weekend to you all!

Much love,

Courtney Ann

I'm sorry.

I suck at being a blogger lately....My excuse? I've been busy i guess. Once i compose my thoughts and make them sound more interesting than they are, then i'll post something sweeeet. Until then, dear readers, i thought i'd share my new hair idea that i'm gonna do sometime soon. It's called Ombre Locks. And it looks like fashionably extremely grown out roots.

Knit Inspirations.

2011-05-10T20:30:00.000-07:00

Today i was given tons of yarn. I'm so thrilled and excited and blessed! So since i'm in a knitting frenzy, i thought i'd share some of the people that inspire my knitting fingers.

Cassie

Her facebook album of her knitting projects for her etsy site are what first inspired me to knit. And she continues to inspire me still. Though her store's gotten smaller, i still look at her old album to see the scarves, hand warmers and mug cozies she's made. I love all the simplicity of her items and the way they still manage to look so complicated and intricate. Thanks Cassie!

Jess

Her store YesJess is my absolute biggest inspiration for knitting. I love everything she makes as well as anything she posts on her site. She was the first one to make me REALLY want to make hats. Cause look how awesome hers are...*sigh* I love how she makes knit things look so young.

Thank you Jess.

Pickles

I actually don't know the name or face of the person behind Pickles. But it's an awesome Norwegian blog that's also a yarn shop. Though some (many) of the patterns are too advanced for me, i still grab inspiration from each lovely piece. Yarn Over Movement

I somehow found their store about a year ago. They make big, chunky scarves, hats and cowls that i just wanna snuggle up in with a hot cup of tea...Again, inspiration to make something.

So yeah. Back to knitting and finishing the school year for me...I'm so glad knitting isn't limited to old women anymore.

Happy Tuesday!

xoxo, Courtney Ann

Crashing Kittens

2011-05-10T05:36:00.000-07:00

David told me about this video. His reenactment cracked me up. And so did the video.
Cute little kittens crashing like cars. Heck yes.
Please enjoy.

Happy Tuesday!

Love,
Courtney Ann

Forever Young.

2011-05-05T17:53:00.000-07:00

The title actually has very little to do with this post aside from the fact that the camera above is considered a "toy camera". But it's one of those good 80's songs... Anywho. The camera. I ordered it yesterday. I've been asked "why would you want a film camera? you have a digital already." The answer, my dear, is that film makes it cooler. hahaha seriously though it makes it more mine. The whole legit film gives it a different effect. It's "perfectly imperfect". Another reason is that with digital, you take a million shots and delete the ugly ones. With film, you have to work to get "the perfect shot". It's more of an art i think. More fun anyway. This article made me even more excited to get it. I'll post copies of the pictures i develop whenever that happens:) yay! Happy Thursday. Much love, Courtney Ann

Something In The Water

2011-05-04T12:11:00.000-07:00

I'm seeing her in concert this Saturday and i'm beyond excited. I've been listening to her older albums this week so i can sing along with whatever she plays. Yay concerts. Yay music. Yay Wednesday!

-Courtney Ann

♥

The Real Life Fairytale.

2011-04-29T09:17:00.000-07:00

People wonder why the world, particularly the US is so taken with the royal wedding. Well....haven't we grown up watching Disney's princess stories? What do most little girls dream of being? (Princesses duhhh)

And since we don't have our own royals, and America was founded by England and they're our closest ally, why wouldn't we just embrace their Prince Charming and Cinderella?

I got up at 4 a.m. with my mom and little sister to watch the whole wedding on TV. We shared in the history of it. The excitement of it. It was all breathtaking and amazing. I absolutely loved it. Afterwards i decided to check out Queen Elizabeth II's wedding gown. You always hear about Diana of course, but the Queen's dress was lovely as well.

She was stunning. In a perfect 1940's vintage fashion. I love the rows of ruffle flowers elegantly placed down the gown, the flowing veil, the classic crown (that reminds me of the Statue of Liberty), and also the classic cut of the dress itself.

And of course the 20 year old forever fashion icon, Princess Diana in her HUGE dress with it's sparkles and ruffles and tulle and veil and 25 foot train. Lovely.

Random Fact: We learned during the ceremony that since Victoria's reign, the royal brides have put a sprig of Myrtle in their bouqets. It's said to bring good luck. And also, in Kate's bouqet there were Sweet Williams (a type of flower). But how cute is that?!
And i just couldn't go without posting a picture of the beautiful couple. Taken only hours ago, Kate in her incredible gown glowing in her wedding day gorgeousness. The absolute fairy tale wedding.
Oh and here's a picture of Grace Kelly's amazing dress that they've been comparing Kate's to all day. (But Kate's is prettier)

Basically i could go on and on and on about this but it would get boring and the rest of the world is raving about it as well. So i'll stop here.
{oh and i know it's cheesy, but i so want one of those replica rings}
Congratulations Prince William and Princess Catherine! ♥

Fairy Tales are real. Just sayin.
Much love,
Courtney Ann

P.S.
For all of you single ladies who are jealous of Catherine....
;)

I'm Human

2011-04-26T18:34:00.000-07:00

Hi. Before you continue reading, i need to explain that sometimes when a certain mood hits me, i write sort of scenes in my journal that seem like they would be taken from a weird novel. I'm strange. I know. This one however was inspired by the way my mind works/similar moments i've had. I figured i'd post it cause, why not? Enjoy. Or don't. Either way, here it is.

“That day had been a long one- full of disappointments. Yet not one regret.

And so there i sat at the window.

Hearing the highway.

Seeing a periwinkle twilight above the roofs.

Feeling my wet hair on my shoulders.

Tasting the toothpaste that cleaned my teeth.

Smelling tomorrow coming on the wings of yet another rain shower.

At some point, as i was staring into the atmosphere i faced the fact that this life is far beyond me. I remembered hearing about an angry guy above the stars that judges our every move. But if God is always angry, then the human race would’ve ceased to exist ages ago.

No. Only a God of mercy would let us figure it out on our own. Loving us from a distance unless we decide to hear his songs.

That was the night i first believed in heaven. Really believed. It was also the night i realized just how human i am.”

Much Love,
Courtney Ann

She's a Legend.

2011-04-25T16:16:00.000-07:00

I'm so sorry for my lack of posts. Busy weekend + lack of creativity = bad blogger.
And i still don't have anything too interesting to tell you about.
But i wanted to brag about the fact that my mom rode a saddled sheep as a child. And also a cow. I finally have proof. She's a legend what can i say?

Have a happy Monday evening. I'll be attempting a perfect french manicure for the second time. Failure can be the best motivation.

Much Love,
Courtney Ann

♥

I Wish I Had The Key To Perfect Locks

2011-04-14T17:17:00.000-07:00

Man i love plays on words. haha forgive my cheesiness.

After having slightly swooped, thickly chopped bangs for around 3 years i decided i'm growing them out. I'm also growing my layers out. But i've been trying new things with my hair in general. (my attempts so far haven't been noticeable and/or successful) but it's always fun to play around.
More length = more options.
I love it. I've started wearing headbands that push all my hair away from my face for the first time in forevs and it's great. But i thought i'd share some of my favorite hair inspiration pictures i've found.

My sister always did the fishtail braid and i always just did french or normal braid. Fishtail's cooler. Thanks riles.

Sadly i still have too many layers to successfully braid my hair and all my different concepts that i've tried have left my hair in it's usual state of frizzy, unruly waves. ce la vie.

Wish me luck in finding the key to my locks. (hahahaha get it???)
Happy Thursday.
Love,
Courtney Ann

P.S.
Tomorrow is Friday. "we so excited."

Spring Cleaning

2011-04-11T11:45:00.000-07:00

A bunch of Daffodils bloomed overnight on my street. And since it's my day off and my only not-completely-busy day of the week, i'm taking on my room. Including closet, dresser, desk, underbed storage, steam-mopping the floors, etc.
It should be good(:

Happy Spring (finally!)
-Courtney Ann

It's In The Jeans

2011-04-06T10:25:00.000-07:00

These are my favorite jeans. Though that is not me wearing them, it's an American Eagle model who most likely wears a size 00. I think everyone has a store that carries "their jeans", the ones that fit perfectly. My store is AE.

Before i go any further, i must say that i wear my jeans to death. In the past six months 3 pairs of jeans hav been labeled "unwearable". With broken zippers, shredded pockets, belt loops coming off, unmendable holes, etc.
Of course those were all cheaper jeans. Not my AE quality.

But on top of that, i've lost weight. Most likely some baby chub i didn't know existed. But i've lost around 10 pounds. And now even my favorite 2 pairs of jeans are a little too loose for comfort.
(NOTE: i do not have weight insecurities or disorders)

So as far as pants go, i'm kinda starting from scratch and until i go shopping, my belts will be put into full use. But this time i'm keeping my bigger jeans for Christmas time(;

Oh the trials of being skinny.....
Happy Wednesday,
Courtney Ann

"Smooth As Glass"

2011-04-04T12:40:00.000-07:00

"The wind ran out of breath;
The sea became smooth as glass"
-Mark 4.39

Love,
Courtney Ann

♥

Stick To The Classics

2011-04-02T08:21:00.000-07:00

I've found that life is as inconsistent as fashion. Things come and go rapidly and the only way to be stylish is to stick to the classics or surely you'll be outdated in one fast, hot second.
You can try to keep up with the latest trends and styles, but they won't last and you'll just end up with a bad haircut and a wardrobe of unwearables in about a year.
But what's most appealing are the classics, the things that stand the test of time.

Classic doesn't just relate to fashion of course. We like classic books, movies, songs, etc.

But what about a classic lifestyle? One that sticks to what it believes and doesn't worry about the technicals?

What if, i based my life on my faith, family and friends and who i know i was created to be, and let everything else fall into place where it should be? These are the lasting things. And what we do affects eternity.

Isn't this what we all pretend we do but never act upon?

"Live Laugh Love" we all wear it on shirts, hang it on our walls, think it's cute, bla bla bla. But what if we actually did it?

Life would be different if we loved people through their troubles, laughed away regrets, and lived life with our whole hearts.

Heck, it's not like life would get boring, or you wouldn't have to take chances. Not on this earth. But when the risks must be taken, you'd at least know your foundations, where you stand, who you are. You'd be able to look into your heart and see the truth stated plainly.

"Stick to the classics." "Keep it simple." It could change some things.

Have a thoughtful Saturday.

Love,

Courtney Ann

Sparkles

2011-03-30T18:56:00.000-07:00

Sparkle: to shine or glisten with little gleams of light, as a brilliant gem; glitter; coruscate.

I like when light catches and reflects the shimmer on something sparkly. I'm not an "all things that glitter" kind of girl. Not at all. But little sparkly treasures, such as glittery nail polish, eyeshadow, sequined pockets on shirts, etc. have been catchin my eye lately. They're sweet and feminine. (If you wear them right and in moderation).

Lord knows i'm not gonna go buy glittered leggings, fake diamond jewelry, and a sequined dress. Gosh no. But hey, while i'm young and can pull of a bit of sparkle, why not? I have a sparkly OPI polish on my dresser calling my name and maybe some eyeshadows. We'll see.

But aside from sparkly objects, what about a sparkly personality? Someone who reflects light and shines it "errywer". Sequins say little, but if caught perfectly in a glare of light can illuminate a shadowy corner with it's little orbs of illumination. Sounds pretty, and those same characteristics would be beautiful in a human as well. I should try it(: I think i shall.

Thanks for reading my midweek ramblings.

Happy Wednesday,

Courtney Ann

Beaver Fever

2011-03-28T10:41:00.000-07:00

Meet Justin Beaver. No i did not draw this, i just found it and died laughing. And i felt obliged to share it. "And i was like baby, baby, baby, wood!!!"

Hope it made your day or at least made you laugh(:
-Courtney Ann

Avocado Pro.

2011-03-26T13:37:00.000-07:00

Last night my dad and i stopped at a little middle eastern market, where my father found the perfect pair of avocados. On our way home we decided they'd be good on griddle made quesodillas. At which point my dad said "I'll have to teach you the art of cutting an avocado and removing the pit."

Before i go on with this story, i need to say that when it comes to cooking or food prep talents, i'm not exactly an artist who's full of surprising talents in the kitchen.... Back to the story.

So i replied "I already know how!" *Surprise!* And at lunch time today i showed off my master avocado cutting and pitting skills. Heck yes. We ate sliced avocado on quesodillas that had sautéd onions and roast beef inside.

I've had a lot of quesodillas in my day, but these were by far the best yet.

To say the least i'm pretty proud of myself.

Have a delicious weekend!
Love,
Courtney Ann
☀

Embracing The Sun

2011-03-26T09:16:00.000-07:00

For a couple years of my life i avoided getting tan at all cost. I don't even know my reasoning. But i got really good at it. So good at it, that the combo of my pale skin and dark hair made me look like a classic, pretwilight vampire. And i loved it. I was really crazy and weird i guess.

But this past June, my family spent 3 GLORIOUS weeks is Florida. Literally for 3 weeks we'd wake up, eat, put on our suits and sunscreen and head to the beach. After accidentally turning into a lobster the first day, i realized that tanning was unavoidable and embraced the sun! I went home tanner than i'd been in 3 years.

Then winter happened. And i'm once again a vampire. And the way that Michigan Spring messes with everyone's heads is torture. "Yes, wear shorts! It's getting warmer. Sucks for you i changed my mind it's gonna snow again go get your layers." Not cool Michigan. Not cool.

But today i'm missing summer more than ever. Being tan, wearing shorts and a tank daily, my trusty old t-strap sandals, riding with the windows down, etc. etc. etc....
But more than that i just miss the warmth of the sun. And the ocean! Oh how i miss it!!!

It's sunny outside, which i'm glad about. But oh, i wish it was warm.....
Happy weekend to you(:
-Courtney Ann

MY Banner.

2011-03-23T18:51:00.000-07:00

If you read even the title of my previous post, you should get the idea that i love banners lately. You know, the classic picnic style with a string of patterned triangles. I mentioned that i made one. I also promised pictures. (a promise a RARELY fulfill) However, i took pictures and they're not staying on my camera another day!!! Hurray for motivation!

And so......*queuing drum roll*.........

MY BANNER!!!!!!

Please ignore the giant black portfolio bag next to my bed and the disheveled blankets.

I'm rather taken with it(:

Have a good Wednesday night.

Much love,

Courtney Ann

♥

▼▼▼BANNERS▼▼▼

2011-03-22T18:29:00.000-07:00

My latest craft/decorative fancy is the Banner. It simple, easy to make, easy to pull off and a really cute additive to any space. I made a paper one today out of an old Impressionist calender i had laying around. Turned out adorably and i'm absolutely making more when i have a few minutes. (i'll post pictures sometime) I'm also hoping to try different shapes. Such as hearts and diamonds.

Have a lovely night,
Courtney Ann
♥

P.S.

Thank you for all of your views and comments on my last post. So sweet and awesome to know how many are also wrapping their arms around our Blueberry. xoxo

One Big Blueberry

2011-03-19T19:26:00.000-07:00

The beginning of 2011 has been intense worldwide. Listing some of the major, most reported and talked about headlines: the uproar in Egypt, earthquake in New Zealand, riots in Libya and several other Middle Eastern countries, obviously the latest- earthquake then tsunami then radiation in Japan. Along with that, there's still every other sadness and conflict across the globe. Hunger, War, Poverty, Oppression, Disease, Crime, the list goes on.

The world is incredible beautiful and magnificently made, and yet so broken and full of ugly intent.

I often wish i could reach out my hands and give each of the 6 billion beating hearts just a little hope. Though i can't literally hug each country, i can love each of them and care a little bit less about myself.

As far away as they are, and as carefree as my life may be right now, we all share this big blueberry suspended in this galaxy. We all share blood, history, and humanity, knowledge and resources.

Let's share a little bit more love. A tad more hope. And a lot more prayers.

Praying for our blueberry,

Courtney Ann

♥

Chloé Snapshot

2011-03-16T06:05:00.000-07:00

My current inspirational picture. Just the makeup really. But after messing around with eyeshadows and liners last night, i achieved this Chloé runway look. Love love love! My eyes look GINORMOUS!

Happy Wednesday!
-Courtney Ann
♥

Spring In The Fashion World.

2011-03-13T14:39:00.000-07:00

Ok so i like fashion. I own VERY few designer items, i'm more of a bargain shopper, but they inspire my style nonetheless.
Anywho, i was just browsing through collection after collection of this spring's ready-to-wears by my favorite designers and i was so disappointed. I was telling my friend Alexandra the other day about how i love Chanel's spring collection but i must have been thinking of last year's cause this years is LAME. All in my opinion of course.
I'm not a fan of 70's fashion and it's a very strong influence on the fashion world right now. So lots of strange color combinations, HUGE platform heels, sunglasses that cover your entire face, shapeless ankle length dresses, bodysuits and frizzy hair. Yeahhhh not so cool.

But the 1 designer that has yet to let me down is Boy by Band Of Outsiders. They take menswear for women and give it a tasteful, unique twist. Seen on Kirsten Dunst time and time again. They also do all of their shoots artistically. Gahhhh i love it! Even if i'm still far from achieving the look and may never. haha

Happy Sunday to you all!
-Courtney Ann

The Joy Of (not) Cooking

2011-03-10T13:47:00.000-08:00

Confession: I Don't Enjoy Cooking.

Last night i watched Julie & Julia with my sister and mum. If you don't know, it's 2 stories; the first is of Julia Child, the second of Julie Powell. It's all about cooking. Pretty good movie. Lots of yummy looking meals.

{Unless you're kinda clueless, you should've already gotten the vibe that cooking, is not my forte.}

I can follow a recipe, know how to do the basics, but i just don't like it. I enjoy baking because chocolate is one of my best friends and it's all worth it. But cooking like meals is so not my thing. The stirring, the hot pans, the oven, the many-many-many dishes......yeah not fun. I make 7 meals.
1. Homemade mac & cheese. ( but my sisters tell me it tastes nothing like mom's)
2. Fried Eggs. With the yolk runny to dip your toast in. mmmmm(:
3. Oatmeal Pancakes. and after you eat a few you think you might die of richness.
4. Quesodillas. the meal and snack of american teenagers of my generation.
5. Parmesan pasta. I added pesto to it the other night and my mom had to save it....fail.
6. Homemade Pizza. It's killer not gonna lie.
7. Ramen. Yikes.

But this movie inspired me. Fancy cooking would be fun. And i read several blogs that sometimes post about fancy shmancy meals they make and i sigh in admiration. And so i think i'll start cooking a little bit more. A little. For now. Try some new stuff, maybe somethin fancy and see how it goes. But by the time i'm 20 i'm gonna be an amazing cook gosh dangit. It's gonna happen. I'm intimidated and honestly not eager to start, but it'll be very beneficial. I've got plenty of time.

Much love to you,
Courtney Ann
♥

{Horses}

2011-03-06T14:31:00.000-08:00

So when i was little i had an obsession with horses. I read books galore about horses, drew them, dreamt of them, wore shirts with horses on them, etc, etc, etc. Funny thing is, i've only ridden horses twice in my entire life. But i can tell you how to and all about horses and their saddles and breeds. But being a city girl, the most grass i see is at city parks and the closest i come to the smell of horse dung is the the smell coming from sewage drains.

On Thursday someone referred to my horse stage and i replied "I'm still in it." followed by laughter. And i explained that horses are beautiful animals, still one of my favorites. Though i don't dream of them at all or really express any sort of obsession, i still love them. And i'd love to ride them again. Or just hang out with some.Especially if they were wearing cool sweaters.

Pretty random post but everything i ever post about is pretty random.

Enjoy your Sunday evening(:
Much love,
Courtney Ann

∞

2011-03-06T13:59:00.000-08:00

Infinite: unbounded or unlimited; boundless; endless

To go on forever, unbounded, unlimited, immeasurable. Mind blowing? Yah!
It's a thought that never ceases to completely amaze me. All i can picture is an image of outer space, or when you look at the horizon lying on an ocean and it just seems endless.
But not only does it mean endless, it means unstoppable. Because the limit is not just the extent of something, it's how far it's permitted to ever go. So to be limitless is to have no maximum, but to be every maximum. Woah.
The concept of infinity has been on my mind a lot lately. Mathematics can't even describe it. You can't write infinity in an equation, you can merely imply it. I suppose it makes sense that a freshman's mind is easily blown, but for real, this should blow everyone's minds. haha

The first time i remember hearing the word "Infinity" was in Toy Story; "to infinity....and beyond!" which really has nothing to do with it. But first, think of infinity. Really ponder it.
Then think of infinity & beyond. Ohmylanta! crazy right? I think beyond infinity is eternity. Cause that is where time never ends.

My dad said today, "Your destiny is always related to eternity." How important is each moment? Each step, each conversation? Have you ever considered what your life would be like had one person not met another, who knew another, who met you?
All of this is such an incredible, scary, wondrous thing.

(I know this is getting long)
But infinity is also a beautiful thought. In all of it's mystery and pressure, it reminds you that time goes on. And you have to move with it. It also is an adjective describing only the most real, lasting things. Such as real love and everlasting life. 2 things only found in the very being of eternity, our creator.

Job 36:26
"Take a long, hard look. See how great he is—infinite, greater than anything you could ever imagine or figure out!"

Hope your mind was blown, your heart inspired and your eyes opened. Like mine have been.
-Courtney Ann

//Quote of the Day//

2011-03-01T17:50:00.000-08:00

"Rule of life number Seven: No matter what the question, costumes are always the answer."

While watching the show Olivia during my once a week nanny job or my "career" as my family calls it, i loved her rule of life and felt like sharing it.

Happy March 1st.
-Courtney Ann

//Catching Dreams//

2011-02-24T18:27:00.000-08:00

I have lots of dreams. Some of my dreams pertaining to the future are newly developed with a new sense of the enormity of the world and all the opportunities it holds. Here are some of my favorite ones....

♢ Opening a flower shop of my own. I love flowers, always have. And arranging them is so fun. I'd do my best to use all local farm flowers and such. Plus, i like small businesses. Who doesn't? If i do that i wanna work at a flower shop in a few years.

♢ Kinda similar....but studying Botany and Agriculture and using it to invent organic cosmetics and everyday items such as cleaning supplies. Or maybe something bigger like fuel science.

♢ Being an elementary Music Teacher. I think it'd be fun and the fact that art and music classes are becoming so rare in schools scares me. I want the future generations to have opportunity to express themselves with the arts.

♢ Magazine editing. Publishing something like Readymade or Foam. Bursting with culture, fashion, music, news, innovative ideas, different outlooks, and travel. If i went this route i'd wanna do a sweet internship(:

♢ Another is to work on a farm in a coastal town in northern California. Pretty weird but i think it'd be cool. It is after all, only a dream.

haha that picture made me laugh.....
Well hope you have an incredible next few days.
Keep dreaming(:
-Courtney Ann

Flu Season

2011-02-23T08:36:00.000-08:00

So a lot of people i know have been getting the dreaded flu. I woke up on Sunday feeling kinda crappy and by Sunday night i'd thrown up. Monday i spent laying around and i miraculously felt better yesterday. And today i feel like total crap again. Lovely. If only my sister were home to tell me i'm faking it. So now i'm just waitin it out and trying to control my spinning brain.

Hope you're healthy.
-Courtney Ann

A Knitting Purl

2011-02-20T15:05:00.000-08:00

I've been knitting for 4 years now. Though i'm not INCREDIBLE at it, (i mainly knit the easiest things possible) it's one of my favorite hobbies. It's cheaper than buying fabric, it's easier than many other crafts, it's relaxing and you can multitask with it, and it makes lovely gifts. I'm currently learning to knit hats (and it's quite the trying process). And i'm planning on knitting a big scarf for myself and still haven't gotten around to it.
However, i'm very glad that knitting isn't just something that old women do anymore. It's considered cool again. And let's be serious it really is. I taught my best friend how to in the fall and she's more in love with it than i am. I'd post my favorite items i've knit.....but they were all presents.

My sister's purple trunk has been turned into a yarn stash while she's at school. Thanks Riles:)

Have a lovely Sunday evening. It's snow storming here in Detroit.
Much love,
Courtney Ann
♥

February 14th

2011-02-14T11:11:00.000-08:00

Happy Ferris Wheel Day!!!
I'm fully aware that it's also Valentine's day, but the rest of the world's blogging about that.
February 14th also shares it's day with the Ferris Wheel. It's the day to appreciate the wonderful, adorable work of Mr. George Washington Gale Ferris Jr.
Thank you George:)
The concept could have originated in the 17th century in Bulgaria. But the first actual Ferris Wheel was built in Chicago and opened in the summer of 1893. And it's still loved world-wide approximately 118 years later.

Have a wonderful Monday. Enjoy all the hearts and red:)
-Courtney Ann

~♥~♥~♥~

P.S.
I went on a quick bike ride today splashing through 5inch puddles. YAY!!!

Fill In The Blank Friday.

2011-02-11T11:29:00.000-08:00

So I've been planning on doing one of these posts for quite some time, but i always forget on Fridays. haha It's super fun though:) Enjoy reading!

1. If I could only read one magazine publication for the rest of eternity, I would choose: it's really hard, probably Marie Claire.....?

2. If I were to run my own magazine it would be: Unique and "Indie" or as my dad would say "Nomadic". Full of undiscovered artists, musicians, stores, trends. And packed with nifty, chic how-to's.

3. I buy my magazines: Well my mom pays for my ReadyMade subscriptions cause we both enjoy them. But aside from that i actually read lots of mags online. I plan on subscribing to some in print soon though.

4. I prefer my magazines: I prefer in print. It's exciting to get it in the mail and read it while lounging around. But online works when you don't feel like paying....lol

5. The number of magazines I buy each month is: 0

6. My favorite magazine genre is: Fashion for sure. Cause not only is fashion amazing, fashion magazines are always full of up-to-date tidbits of culture across the globe.

7. The magazines I read regularly are: Foam, Marie Claire, TeenVogue, ReadyMade

Play along with the Fill-In-The-Blank-Friday game here.

Happy Friday and Happy Weekend!!!

Much Love,

Courtney Ann

-4°

2011-02-10T07:13:00.000-08:00

Brrrrrrrrrrr
It's one of those bone-chillingly cold Michigan winter days. Happy Thursday to you all.
I found this picture the other day and died laughing at it thinking "WHAT THE HECK???"

Hot Chocolate that's like a basket of drinkable kittens??? hahahaahahaha
Have a great day:)
-Courtney Ann

100%

2011-02-08T14:14:00.000-08:00

1 month.
1,000,000,000 tears.
32 headaches.
4 angry punches to my desk.
16 pages wrinkled by my crying.
Hours filled with pathetically hopeless prayers.
4 failed quizzes.
10 naps.
15 nights of late night studying.

Turns out it's all worth it.
I did well on 2 tests today. And i thought my life was over....... psh! All things are definitely possible. And i really do owe all credit to my wonderful creator.....and my mom.
Next time i'm out, i'm buying something to celebrate good grades.
Now i just have to keep it up.

Happy Tuesday to you all:)
tres amour,
Courtney Ann

♥

Be Alive.

2011-02-04T10:57:00.000-08:00

"We read stories, to live another life.
We look at pictures, to live in another moment.
We listen to music, to live to another rhythm.
We take chances, to live boldly.
We love, to share the life we're living.
We sleep, to ensure we're getting the most out of life.
We have senses, to prove to ourselves that we live.
We breathe, well, to be alive."

TGIF. Be alive this weekend.
-Courtney Ann

{Monday}

2011-01-31T13:50:00.000-08:00

The weekend's gone like the last piece of your favorite chocolate; You love every bite and wish for more.
Happy Monday.

-Courtney Ann

♥

The 27th.

2011-01-27T07:19:00.000-08:00

It's my birthday. Another good year. I'm 15. Happy Birthday me.
-Courtney Ann

{Habits}

2011-01-24T07:18:00.000-08:00

So i've realized recently that i'm a person of habit. Not in a bad way, in random small things that don't really have too big an effect on my overall life. haha like....
☀ When i go to Noodles & Co. on a weekly basis, i always get Pesto Cavattappi with parmesan crusted chicken.
☀ I own plain colored shirts and one style of jeans, skinny.
☀ I wear one winter coat but own several. (i wore a different one all last winter)
☀ When i go to Good Girls Go To Paris Crepes i always get the Dana.
☀ I only use carmex chapstick.
☀ Every night before i go to bed i put on chapstick, face lotion and hand lotion in that order.
☀ I've had slight variations of the same hairstyle for about 3 years.

☀ I love all jewelry. But on a regular basis i wear 3 different pairs of studs, 3 different rings and 2 necklaces. But i go in seasons haha so sometimes it'll be a different 8 things.

☀ I only wear the same 2 scarves and the same hat.

☀ I have the same style of shoes in 3 different patterns.

Aside from the things listed above, however, i change things pretty frequently. Change is good and creativity doesn't let things stay the same for too long.

Have a wonderful week. I know i will!
Tres Amour,
Courtney Ann
♥

Happy Birthday!

2011-01-20T11:59:00.000-08:00

No it's not MY birthday, it's still a week away. But i realized that the 16th (Sunday) was my blog's 1 year birthday! Woot woot! I love blogging, and thank you for all your lovely comments:)

happy afternoon to you and you and you!
-Courtney

♥

A Rare Occasion

2011-01-12T12:36:00.000-08:00

I love snow. Always have. Probably always will. With that being said, it's plain to see that i rarely wish for the snow to be gone.....But I'm having one of those moments right now. For 1 reason.

I WANNA GO ON A BIKE RIDE.

I used Wii Fit's virtual bike ride, but it's just not the same. There was no wind, no real people, animals, or plants to see. (not to mention you're standing the whole time)
Today is a beautiful winter afternoon, but i wish- just for today that it was not.

Hope you all are having a wonderful day:)
Much love,
Courtney Ann
♥

Southern Asia

2011-01-04T19:56:00.000-08:00

In History & Geography I'm studying the huge continent of Asia. I've found it super intriguing with all the agriculture, culture and religion. It all just makes me wanna travel:) Here are some gorgeous pictures I found of Nepal and Mongolia regions.

Happy Weekdays to you all!
Much Love,
Courtney Ann

Happy New Year!

2011-01-01T12:14:00.000-08:00

Enjoy 1.1.11
Much love,
Courtney Ann

2010, gone like a breath. 2011, like a fresh new one.

2010-12-26T20:13:00.000-08:00

Sooo I sat in my room and made sets on polyvore. Waste of time? Perhaps. Fun? Ohh yes.
Anywayyy..... I made one depicting some of my new years resolutions (mainly just fun plans but same diff) so here's teh picture and below is the description. Enjoy:)

2010, Gone Like a Breath. by courtneyannie featuring knit dresses

My 2011 new years resolutions. (from top left)
1. I want to properly express my love and appreciation to those I hold deer;)
2. I want to read and study better. (and fix my eyesight)
3. I want to protect and baby my skin.
4. I want floral jeans. and lots of other floral things.
5. I want to gain knowledge as well as wisdom. (thus the oxfords)
6. I want to have good posture as well as a healthier all over body. and figure out how to sleep so my back doesn't hurt all the time.
7. I want to have a positive, calm demeanor. (thus the light colored cotton dress)
8. I want to improve my handwriting and draw more.
9. I want to do really well in school.
10. I want that sweater. nuff said.
11. I REALLY want a vintage bike and awesome bike rides:)
12. I just like the horse tank.
13. I want to learn to knit all sorts of goodies and improve the things I already know how to make.
14. I wanna improve my piano and write awesome deep songs.
15. I want to study Botany and plant some flowers.

Reading this I feel like there are just endless "i wants" but they're all good things....
one last one....
16. I want to live unselfishly.
Happy New years to you all!
Much love,
Courtney Ann:)

Failure Of a Christmas Eve's Eve Post.

2010-12-23T17:17:00.000-08:00

Last week I thought "I'll do a 12 days of Christmas thread of posts!" and then I counted the days and it was already 11 days from Christmas. Then I thought I'd do a "week of Christmas" thread of posts. Then come Sunday- I was too busy to start that.
So here I am.
The night before Christmas Eve.
Sick of wrapping, knitting, Christmas music and cleaning.
Alas, there's still more to be done. Bahumbug.
True, I completely adore everything about the Holiday season and I'm incredibly excited for the next few days and I'd prefer this time of year no other way. But it is far easier to tie myself up in thoughts of the "downs" of what the American Christmas includes.
My room is an adorable nook of Christmas lights and shreds of wrapping paper. Our gorgeous street is the ideal winter wonderland. Yes indeed. I shall have a perfect white Christmas.

Merry Christmas to you all. Have one dang good Christmas.
♥
-Courtney Ann

☃

2010-12-09T07:51:00.000-08:00

15 days. Woah.
Lovely weekend to you all, I'll be spending it with my best friend.
Much Love,
Courtney Ann

In A World Of My Own.

2010-12-06T13:19:00.000-08:00

In the beginning of the original Walt Disney Alice In Wonderland she sings a song about how things would be different in a world of her own. Her song includes cats and rabbits wearing trousers and singing flowers and such. Well in a world of my own, evrything would be FLORAL. It's my latest obsession. It'd look kinda like these lovely pictures I came across....

If you had a world of your own, what would it consist of?
Much Love,
Courtney Ann

♥

Why Thank You!

2010-12-01T18:32:00.000-08:00

I did not do a legit Thanksgiving post cause there is just so much to say. However, Abby Lea did a lovely post listing some of the random little things that she's thankful for and I am now stealing the idea. Of course i'm also EXTREMELY thankful for Jesus, my wonderful family, the incredible humans in my life, my awesome life and a year of so much growth. But erry'one posts about that:) Here goes.

∞ Songs that make me happy
∞ Soft, comfy clothes
∞ Floral prints/flowers
∞ Laughter
∞ Hot cocoa
∞ CarmeX
∞ Unlimited texting
∞ Knee socks
∞ Mint
∞ Blogging/reading blogs/getting comments
∞ My favorite scarf
∞ Inside jokes
∞ The game Taboo
∞ Knitting
∞ Apple scented lotion
∞ When the night sky is red in the winter
∞ Old photos of sweet memories
∞ OPI nail polish
∞ Novels that are so good they make you cry.
∞ Snuggling
∞ Eye contact
∞ Pianos

Feel free to steal this idea. It's super fun.
♥

-Courtney Ann

P.S. Let me know what you think of the new header/title photo.

Mountains.

2010-11-29T15:25:00.000-08:00

I want to go have an adventure in a mountain range. With a picnic basket of wicker, a thermos of cocoa, and cheeks the shade of roses. It's a shame there are none nearby......

Much love, Courtney Ann

Tis The Season.

2010-11-26T15:16:00.000-08:00

And so begins the holiday season. The most wonderful time of year. Oh how I wish it would snow....
Hope you enjoyed your Thanksgiving:)

-Courtney Ann

Dream.

2010-11-18T07:27:00.000-08:00

Today I dream.

♥

-Courtney Ann

Mint.

2010-11-15T12:36:00.000-08:00

I've been pretty loyal to scarlet as my favorite colour for the past few years, but mint is SO close to being my absolute favorite. It's light and happy and vintage and aaahhhhh it's just so perfect in every way:) Is it possible to swoon over a color? Yes. Cause I just did.

I adore all of these pictures so much and now i want bulky mint yarn to knit a jumbo scarf for myself.
What's your favorite color?
Much love,
Courtney Ann

♥

P.S. I really want to learn to make paper origamis. :)

{Foggy Morning}

2010-11-14T14:27:00.000-08:00

I walked outside on Wednesday morning to a breath-takingly beautiful Autumn morning fog. These are the few shots I captured of it. Normally the huge Fisher building is behind and slightly to the right of the tree below. The fog completely covered it. Ah-mazing!

It was amazing and incredibly awe inspiring.
Much love,
Courtney Ann

{Thursday}

2010-11-11T06:38:00.000-08:00

"I wish you a tolerable Thursday. That's all any of us can hope for."
♥

Happy Thursday.
-Courtney Ann

Festively Cute Creatures.

2010-11-09T18:04:00.000-08:00

I'm an animal person, always have been. Tonight's a late night study night and so i though that when i take little breaks i'll put together my little collection of festive animals. I love these pictures:]

I'm so doing this to my little oreo:D

Much love! Hope your week is awesome!
-Courtney Ann <3

{Morning}

2010-11-04T07:14:00.000-07:00

Each day is the one day anniversary of the one before. Therefore each sunrise should be celebrated. Another day to breathe, another chance to love.
♥

-Courtney Ann

The Little House

2010-10-28T14:00:00.000-07:00

One of my absolute favorite books from when I was little is one by Virginia Lee Burton. It was about a little pink country house that was home to a little family and then it was abandoned and it watched the world change and a city grow around it until a new little family picked it up and made it a new home. It sounds uper lame from that description but the illustrations were oh so cute. I came across a picture of a house that looks JUST LIKE the one in the book and I SO want to live in it. Lots of sweet memories were brought to my mind when thinking about this little story.

The similarity is quite remarkable

Kinda a boring post, but I felt like sharing it. Thanks for reading.
Much love,
Courtney Ann:)

{Wordless Wednesday}

2010-10-27T14:13:00.000-07:00

xoxo,

Courtney Ann:)

{The Library}

2010-10-21T13:16:00.000-07:00

Detroit's main library was first opened in 1921 and it is GORGEOUS. The architecture is incredibly ornate and the interior details are breathtaking. I visited it briefly way back in December I believe it was but today I really explored it. I only took a few pictures cause I kept forgetting I had my camera, but the ones I did take hardly do it justice.
I only ended up checking out 2 books; one of poetry by females of Great Britain and another on the work of Monet (who very well may be my favorite artist). But I enjoyed the whole trip thoroughly.
I didn't take pictures of this particular room, but there is a "music room" and half of it is literally shelves and shelves of sheet music from just about every decade of the last century. Ah-MAYzing!!!

Freyderyk Chopin (my favorite composer lately)

The library made my afternoon quite lovely. I hope your day was just as sweet.

Much Love,

Courtney Ann:)

P.S.

I'm enjoying the daintiness of these pretty fall flowers on my desk:]

Details vs. Simplicity

2010-10-17T14:05:00.000-07:00

I'm a deep thinker. I tend to "dissect" everything, to ponder and delight in it's complexity. It can be highly enjoyable in the sense that everything has a million different, intricate, ornate reasons and details.

Details: Attention to or treatment of a subject in individual or minute parts.

However, sometimes it takes away from the pure enjoyment of life.
I can end up getting so caught up in the "why?" and the "how is this gonna work?" and "but what if this happens?" and even just trying to notice every little detail in anything good or bad, and I miss the beauty and wonder of every breath.

Simplicity: Freedom from complexity, intricacy, or division into parts: an organism of great simplicity.

Ok, I'm not big on Science, but one cell organisms blow my mind. And they are the epitome of simplicity, while at the same time they are everything intricate. Gross? Yes I suppose they can be. Mind blowing and fascinating? Heck yes.

Living through the eyes of a child is something that I've attempted to do many times. Yes, I've failed on every one of those occasions. But maybe it's time I tried again.

To let go (for a time) of the analytical, critiquing habits I have and simply enjoy life's music. I can let it's notes ring and listen to each instrument simply for the enjoyment of the sound rather than figuring out what instrument's playing what notes. That's figurative, but I actually do need to listen to music like that once more as well. haha

So the next time life throws a great mystery at me, depending on if it appears to be good or bad; I'll let it fill me with awe and bask in it's wonder, and surrender it to the ONE who sees the reason for it all in every tiny, intricate detail.

Ecclesiastes 5:7 "Much dreaming and many words are meaningless. Therefore stand in awe of God."

At this point, in the battle of Details vs. Simplicity, my current choice is the latter. But I'm hoping to find the balance between the 2.

Thanks for reading! Have a fabulous week.
Much love,
Courtney Ann:)

Missing: My Camera Cord

2010-10-05T12:59:00.000-07:00

Lost: no longer to be found.
So I've been waiting to blog for a while until I've finished decorating my room and taking pictures. Well I'm nearly done decorating and took a few photos the other night, but when I went to upload them I realized that my camera cord had gone missing. It's very sad, but I'll find it eventually. I'll hopefully write a blog on a different subject later tonight.
In the meantime, I found this random poem online about being lost. I think it describes how my camera cord is feeling right about now....
Lost
"lost within the darkness

lost beneath the light
lost without your love
lost in plain sight
lost without a hope
lost no way to cope
lost"

Much Love,
Courtney Ann :)

Home Has A New Address.

2010-09-24T12:27:00.000-07:00

Yeah. My family moved this week. I'm planning on decorating and accessorizing my room today. I'll post pictures sometime.... I made Chocolate Cupcakes this week and they were delicious. If only I'd made more than 16. *sigh* I'll blog something worth reading later this week (hopefully).

Oh! I nearly forgot yesterday was indeed, the first day of Autumn!!!!
I love fall. It's my favorite. It's the season of light sweaters, warm scarves, crisp breezes, crunchy apples, rosy cheeks, mugs full of hot drinks, colorful trees, and knitting (i really need to start a project...any ideas?)

I can't wait for the trees to completely change colour on my beautiful street. It'll be lovely!

Well I have some unpacking left to do. Have a wonderful Friday!

Much Love,

Courtney Ann :)

Boxes, Boxes, Everywhere.

2010-09-14T10:56:00.000-07:00

My family has this book called "Boxes, Boxes, Everywhere". It's about a little boy whose parents hadn't explained the whole moving process until they were all packed up. Pretty ridiculous, huh? I was reminded of how the little boy was so overwhelmed by all the boxes and business and chaos of it all lately. My whole room is packed up, along with the rest of my house. My whole family is living out of suitcases for the next few days until we move in!!!!

No, we're not moving away from anywhere. We're just relocating our place of residence into a beautiful home closer to downtown Detroit. I'm excited. Although it still feels unreal to me that we're actually moving. (there have been a lot of false alarms) I feel like at any second I'm gonna wake up and none of it ever happened. That'd be sad but it's just how it feels to me.

On Saturday when I get all the boxes into my room I'm planning on organizing my wardrobe by color, along with my dresser drawers. Then I'll make my room feel like home in cute ways. It's like a whole white canvas of potential!

Until then, I'll try to survive with my suitcase of clothing, the 2 or 3 books that aren't packed, and my house full of boxes. :]

Much Love!
-Courtney Ann

This Week I.....

2010-09-13T19:55:00.000-07:00

It's been a while since my last post. But I've been rather busy. This week I accomplished many things such as.....

Starting School,

Packing up my whole room and entire house,

Dying my hair black (well actually Riley did that),

Cutting my bangs,

Babysitting,

Playing Piano,

Reading 3.5 novels,

Cleaning,

Sorting through belongings,

Cleaning,

Did I mention cleaning?

But I do have many blog ideas in mind and I'm planning all of them:) As soon as I have a bunch of time.....

Much Love!

-Courtney Ann

School.

2010-08-31T12:00:00.000-07:00

Studies: application of the mind to the acquisition of knowledge, as by reading, investigation, or reflection.

It's been a lovely summer; Wonderful but far too fast in it's passing. Many happy times and memories were made in the past few, busy months. Eventually they'll come to an end. For a few of my friends, the School year has already begun.

Last year I didn't do my best at all, and I completely regret it. This year is the first year that my grades will drastically effect my future; So I'm determined to get it right. I'm going to set my mind to it and really apply my mind to my studies. When I'm done with high school, I'll be super smart :D I'm excited and determined and slightly intimidated. Ha-ha

Right around this time last year I was dreading school and with that mindset, I sucked as a student in the subjects I disliked. Sure, I did well in history and literature and math, but those are ones I for -the most part- enjoy or at least care about. I will do well. I'm going to be a fantastic student! Someone I'm proud of. :) Doing your absolute best is a great quality and one that reflects God.

Fall here I come! (i'm also super excited for cardigans, jeans, my cowboy boots & knitting :)

And this article both inspired and scared me.

Have a fantastic week!

Much Love,

Courtney Ann

Riley.

2010-08-26T11:02:00.000-07:00

You're the kind of friend who always makes my day. In your adorable American way.

With a midwestern accent on your tongue you chase a land that's full of hope & sun.
I wear red and white, you wear bright blue. You pledge to no town, but to the home life brought you to.
You laugh away your every once shed tear and wish for just one more teenage year.
Riley, oh Riley. You're like all my favorite songs.
So crank up the tunes and dance by the moon for one last teenage night.

Happy 18th to the bestest big sister ever! Love you lots!!!!!

-Courtney Ann

1960's Family Circle Magazines

2010-08-20T11:09:00.000-07:00

My Mom was cleaning out our basement the other day and came across 2 Family Circle magazines that were my Great-Grandmother's. One is the April 1965 issue, and the other is the April 1966 issue. They're both so adorable and intriguingly vintage! The articles show what times were like when the term "family" meant something to most of America, and morals still had a say in the home. (excluding the hippies and other groups of rebellion rising up in the 60's) I'm so thankful for my loving, wonderful family. I'm so privileged to live in an unbroken home where I've been taught right from wrong, with room to learn and express myself and still learn from my own mistakes. :)

Manners are another thing I admire and do my best with, but let's face it, my generation will never be as ladylike as the ones in the past. I'll do my best though, my Mother's taught me well.

So here are some pictures of a few of my favorite pages in the magazines.....

Maybe I should try out these projects ;)

The Interior Design of the 60's was ummmm...odd. But creative nonetheless.
This was their idea of a comfy traveling outfit.

This picture is from an article about how parents can benefit from their children's science experiments.

I love this article. It instructs women what to do in different car related situations. It was the era when women were first getting behind the wheel!
This advertisement was for conditioner. The product was literally called "Condition".This coke bottle was HUGE. I'm glad 2 liters aren't as easily broken. But the glass bottles are adorable.
This makes me glad we have Sonics in my area now. :)
Knitting patterns. Sweet, but way more complex than my level of knitting.

This was an ad for lotion. I found it funny.

I did not know that there was ever an advertisement for wearing the stickers on your forehead!!! I do it out of mere instinct! It was very exciting to come across this ad.

This article was called "Kaleidoscope". It talked about geometric prints, bold colours and daring patterns. I adored it.
This article was written by a high school teacher who was a mother of kids around age 8. But it was surprisingly accurate and relevant. It wouldn't hurt some modern parents to read it.

This article was HIGH-larious! The hairdo's are intriguing but ridiculous to people of 2010. It was splendid to read.

I should've added more of these hair pictures....whoops. There were like 4 or 5 full pages of them.

Wonder bread is full of memories for me. When I was 2-4 years old my family lived walking distance from a Wonder Bread outlet store. We'd stop there fairly often on our way back from picking my sister up from Kindergarden. I don't recall what my favorite treat was, but my sister always got the apple pies.

I hope you've enjoyed these magazines as much as I have.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Much love,

Courtney Ann :)

{These Are A Few Of My Favorite Things}

2010-08-12T09:54:00.000-07:00

Life is full of things that brighten my days. This is a list of things that do that for me. They're in no particular order. What are a few of your favorite things?

1. A whicker basket full of clean, fresh smelling, light colored laundry.

2. Ukulele music.

3. A perfect hair day. (they've been happening a lot lately :)

4. Finding an old item of jewelry or clothing that is awesome in my wardrobe.

5. A clean room.

6. Readymade magazine.

7. Baby animals.

8. McDonald's crispy ranch chicken snack wraps.

9. Vintage things.

10. Green, White or Jasmine tea.

11. Friendship/ Socializing/Meeting Nice People.

12. Bracelets.

13. Decorating.

14. Scripture verses that fill my day with awe.

15. Easy breezy days.

16. Really soft T-shirts.

17. Warm, just dried skinny jeans that fit like a glove.

Have a lovely rest of the week!

Much Love, Courtney Ann :)

P.S.

My bracelets are coming along quite well. I'm fond of the progress.