Snowpocalypse!

Winter quarter at my college is known for bitter weather and icy winds. Before I left home for school, I checked the weather, and man, we are in for record low temperatures!

As my flight landed, all I could see out the windows was thick, thick, thick fog. I still marvel at how the pilot managed to land so well. As soon as I came out of the airport - somehow thinking that I'd be okay in only a layer of fleece - I thought my face was going to fall off (like, actually). When I took a breath, it felt like my lungs were going to implode on themselves...! That's exactly how cold it felt. Within five minutes I couldn't even sniffle - all the liquids in my nose have solidified.... yes, turned into ice.

When I got to campus, there was a horrendous amount of snow. And it was in the forms of snow mountains like this one below:

Good thing is, people are still finding ways to enjoy this bitter weather:

And it was really pretty when I woke up this morning:

Even though when I went outside, the windchill made the already low temperature feel like this:

And for this reason, school is canceled. So of course everyone is like this:

Conclusion: even though it's officially a snowpocalypse in Chicagoland now, no school is still a pretty sweet life.

To everyone currently in Chicagoland: Stay warm and be safe!
xx
Vanessa :]

Fa(shion) la la la la

♪Deck the halls with boughs of holly, fa la la la la la la!♪

Okay I know I'm a little too excited (as I'm typing this I'm belting out the carol at the top of my voice), but CHRISTMAS IS COMING! Which means that beautiful decorated houses are coming, warm sugar cookies are coming, turkeys are coming, and gifts are coming! Most important of all, family gatherings are coming!

In the jolly times of seeing family and friends, who doesn't want to be dressed festively and nicely? Here are a few tips that I have for this year's Christmastime dress code:

1. the basics

Some beautiful dresses that are not just Christmassy - you can wear all year round!

(source)

(source)

These two pretty numbers from Free People are a little on the pricey side, but oh well, you can always ask for them as Christmas presents... The lace detail on the red dress  is just gorgeous - so delicate, so feminine, but the color red is at the same time very racy and bold. The white dress, in my opinion, is more made for those who like to sleep in during the holidays. The cleanliness and casualness of it matched with bed-mussed hair cannot be cuter. Slip on a pair of fuzzy socks and sip away all the peppermint hot chocolate!

2. the layers

When it's a little colder in the house, or when you are going out, throw some layers over your dress to dress it up more! 

(source)

(source)

(source)

(source)

The white dress would go really well with the navy sweater with jeweled detail or the cozy red cardi; the red dress paired with the varsity-jacket lookalike cardi would add to its boldness in design and at the same time balance it out with some quieter colors.

3. the accessories

Last but not least, the accessories are what really bring out an outfit by adding that perfect final touch to the outfit. Here are some eye-catching accessories that will also keep you warm!

(source)

(source)

The embellished headwrap goes well with casual wavy hair or cute boyish short hair; wear it with the red dress and varsity cardi. the off white eternity scarf, well, it's just so comfy; wear it with the white dress and either the navy sweater or the red cardi.

Happy holidays! I hope you guys rock whatever you wear this holiday season!

xx

Vanessa :]

Beautiful German (?) Christmassy Music Monday

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EwlFOx12Nzs

Click on that. Do it.

I have nothing more to say. Just. So. Beautiful.

Holiday Cheer

It's never too early for Christmas music, eh?
http://8tracks.com/ness428/tis-the-season
Something I made, in hopes of giving your blanket-fireplace-cookie time some musical companion.

Cheers,
Vanessa :]

EDIT:
I just realized I've been posting a lot of holiday stuff recently...hmm. Guess I'm just in the mood. Maybe because I'm reading Let It Snow, a collection of short stories by John Green, Maureen Johnson, and Lauren Myracle. Amazing book so far! Go check it out!

Music Monday!

Too early for Christmas song? Nah I don't think so! :P
here goes: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gKYj9OajZF0
Also, I watched Life of Pi yesterday. Thoughts to come :)

Guys...I think I'm ready for Christmas

Hi, first of all I want to announce to y'all that I'm still ALIVE! Yay! I survived my Thanksgiving alright, with spotty internet connection and an overdose of turkey and stuffing (seriously, I can't get enough of that deliciousness). But um, there's a small glitch in my Book of Survival: Last Sunday I went running, and ended up with a very twisted ankle...yeah.

Lemme tell you what actually happened. So I was running with my friend, and since she brought a phone, I figured I didn't have to (WARNING: ALWAYS BRING YOUR PHONE WHEN YOU RUN). We were about 2 miles into our run when my friend said she was not feeling well. So I told her, "Aww, go home then. Are you sure you'll be alright? Cause I was thinking of running another mile or two."

She said, "Yeah, definitely." Then, dubiously: "You know the way back, right?"

I nodded yes. Well, I did know the way back. The thing is, I didn't expect to limp 3 miles home.

Now, drumroll: I stepped on a pine cone and twisted my ankle!

Yes, get it? Pine cone? I'm so ready for christmas now. But seriously, I'm on crutches and all. Cannot wait for christmas break, when I don't have to hobble from classroom to classroom and can just sit on my rear end all day! Crutches are giving me underarm bruises...not fun not fun.

Now, picture time! This is when I went to get my X-ray at the hospital:

(I look happy, don't I? :")