Deberes con Franceses

We've been scrambling to finish our presentation for class tomorrow. It freaks me out even more that my teacher was out sick today! Oh well, I just finished emailing her the paper and accompanying powerpoint presentation. Luckily, I just so happen to live with one of my classmates. She's a French cutie-patootie by the name of Marie and the equally cute Alex is sitting next to her. Those are Marie's hands typing away on my netbook as I snap a few photos here and there. 

(Alexandra, Marie, and Me)

♥ ♥ ♥

Not very appetizing, but Marie took this. I look like a lazy loaf.

For Your Viewing Pleasure: Slightly Lazy, Slightly Homesick

I scored this vintage Razorback t-shirt just before leaving for Spain. I've been wearing it to sleep but debuted it in public today. I had another whole outfit that I had planned on wearing, that is, until I woke up to a muh colder than usual breeze. Nothing like slipping into your favorite pair of skinnies and a perfectly worn in t-shirt. Wooopigsoooie! Ah, makes me a little homesick. Just a little bit.

I love my iPod so much. It keeps me company. It lulls me to sleep. It fills the void.

->Vintage Arkansas Razorbacks T-shirt, Thrifted

->Favorite High-Waisted Skinnies, CitiTrends

->Slip-on Keds, Ebay

->Tan Oversized Beanie, Burlington Coat Factory

I've got to stop listening to this wonderfully amazing song. It really makes me homesick.

"Alabama, Arkansas, I sure love my maw and paw."

Until next time! ♥

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Summer Rip-Off

Making Bubbles at the Donaghey Scholars Picnic Photo Cred: ShuBacca

It's been a whole week since I've moved back in with Moms and Pops for the summer. It's odd not going back to my apartment every night, but it's nice being "home." I say "home" because it's not the same as it once was. I guess that's what happens when you leave the nest. I'm having a hard time adjusting. Luckily, this is only temporary because I made the decision that the presumed rent will be better spent in España. It's such a great motivator; I never want to be in the position of moving back in because of difficulties making ends meet. I refuse.

Haha, Dirty Hippie Photo Cred: Chris H.

So, what have I been doing with my time? I anticipated a quick return to retail at Half-of-Half, but so far that has not been the case. It's funny to think that last summer I was working two jobs. It's not that I need the money, I need the distraction, something to do with myself, people to be around before I go mad. Instead, I find myself sleeping in until noon, latest 2pm, and killing time until 10pm, when all the fun usually starts up. It's become a vicious cycle, one I hope to escape, starting Monday. 

Kissies for only $1! Photo Cred: Chris H.

I can't really complain though. It's nice to be available to do stuff, having two jobs usually got in the way of activities that started before 10pm. So far, I've gone to an outdoor-hippie-let's-paint-our-bodies-and-blow-bubbles kind of shindig, Donaghey Scholars picnic, the Chile Benefit where I volunteered (whored?) myself out for a kissing booth--it was for a good cause!, the typical slue of shows, spontaneous game nights, and the Argenta Art Walk. 

Yeah, I really can't complain...unless I run out of funds!!!

Game Night! Photo Cred: Tatiana

Speaking of dwindling funds, I really ought to stay away from any kind of thrift/vintage/ retail store. I've scored some awesome finds on the cheap, but man! that stuff sure does add up! I go in looking for one specific item and find it, along with a ton of other awesome stuff that's been on my mental wish-list of goods. I've started a second major closet purge in hopes of having a yard sale. I also have hopes of making/selling crafts on etsy. Oh, and taking my nicer, newer pieces to consignment. 

(I'm a hustler, I'm a, I'm a hustler, baby)
Ah, so many ideas, so much to do to have them realized. 

Starting Monday.


pssst!
Tomorrow I get to model for the lovely Starr Crow of A Thought is the Blossom!!! 
We'll see how that goes.

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Elephunky: Riddle Elephant Sanctuary in Guy, Arkansas

One of the lovely perks of being in the Donaghey Scholars Program is the students. For example, my friend Tatiana's family owns an elephant sanctuary in Guy, Arkansas. On Saturday, we all loaded up and traveled over to spend the day with elephants...in Arkansas!

It was such a wonderful experience; I've never been this close to an elephant ever before in my life. Cammy came along for the ride so I could document this event in a trillion photos. (Trillion as in, 168 or so). They were such sweeties! They held really still to get glamour shots and were extremely calm. And beautiful.

Some of the elephants are circus retirees, so they still have a couple of tricks up their...trunk? (Haha, lame...bah-dum-cha!) I believe this Asian elephant in particular's name is Boop, short for Betty Boop. Precioussssss!

Outfit-wise: I wanted to dress sensibly, so I threw on my Donaghey Scholars t-shirt, Free People shorts (1/2 of 1/2, $10), leather Toms-like shoes (Savers, $4), black shoulder bag (Thrifted), and a straw fedora (Marshalls, $9). Tatiana told me that she liked my safari outfit. Totally unintentional.

Occasionally I forget about getting my picture taken. I'm almost always lost behind the lens. Fortunately, Cyrene offered to take some photos. It's so breathtaking standing next to such a majestic creature...

Until, that is, it tries to eat you (must've been the straw fedora)...but not really. I like to think that Boop and I are both smiling in this photo.

Cyrene was handing back my camera just as this trunk was inching near. I didn't have time to look through the view-finder but took the shot anyways. I'm glad I did.

We couldn't get as close to this male African elephant because they're more aggressive. (Stupid boys!) However, this pup (Lucy?) isn't even fazed by the much larger creature just a few feet away.

BABY ELEPHANT! Zomahgarshhh, this had to have been the most freakin' adorable thing that I've ever seen in my life!!! Mrs.Riddle called mommy and baby over to the fence, and next thing you know, there's this precious bundle of joy that jumbles over. I think he's smiling!

We got to hand-feed them carrots...and were thanked with elephant trunk slobber. Om nom nom!

Looking straight ahead at such a majestic creature.

In the gift shop: I didn't buy this particular critter, but instead took various shots of it so I can mentally dismantle it...and make my own. My roomie's been itchin' for her own critter. However, I did buy this awesome pin-cushion as my souvenir. The base is wood carved with elephants.

A practical reminder of a beautiful day with the elephants.

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Hunting for Treasure in the Boonies

I woke up early Saturday morning, perhaps the earliest I've been up this whole semester, and drove over to Dogtown. My father had tempted me with with a flea-market al aire libre(outdoors) in Beebe. All I could think about were the possibilities of hidden treasure at ridiculous prices because people weren't aware of what they had on hand. I wasn't expecting the animals and the stench...but I managed.

The whole thing was massive with booth upon makeshift booth of pretty random stuff. Between the gargantuan pigs and puppies! and guns, I came across vendors declaring that everything was a quarter or gasp! a dime. Unfortunately and fortunately, they weren't as chocked full with goodies as I had expected. Why fortunately? Well, I'm out of closet space as it is...I really shouldn't be buying anything.

However, never one to pass up a good bargain...I did buy a couple of things. I think at one booth I spent 70 cents and walked away with a brown grocery sack full of stuff. Once we left and were headed back to Dogtown, I remembered that Catholic High was having a "Junktique" sale. I convinced my daddy to go and by the time we got there, everything was half-off. Between the two of us, we filled a single brown grocery sack and paid a mere two-dollars.
Leather maroon Etienne Aigner shoulder bag scored for a dime. It just needs a little TLC.

I picked up this dress at the Junktique sale. It's not my size (nor my typical style) but I thought about donating it to NLRHS' costume department. We'll see.

Cotton navy mini-dress. The fit and length (it's super short!) gave me American Apparel vibes, without the hefty price tag. Also scored at the Junktique sale.

Assorted earrings and jewelry bought from a vendor at the outdoor flea-market. The earrings are gaudy as all get out, but they're for my fascinators. The gold necklace and chunky jeweled bracelet were a quarter each.

It was a pretty exciting day. I bought much more than what I have featured here, like a couple of hats and a Babasonicos CD. Now I just need to figure out where to put it all, not before I tend to my neglected studies. Today concludes my spring break and I reluctantly head back to class tomorrow.

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