Currently Obsessing Over...

If you know me at all, then you know I'm always obsessing over something. This weekend, the list is short but full: 

1.) Into The Woods 

I saw Into The Woods (solo!) the day after Christmas and the songs are still stuck in my head. I was obsessed with the musical a few years ago when I saw it on Netflix, and seeing it on the big screen was pretty neat. Disney did an amazing job with the production. Definitely worth the price of the ticket. 10/10, would recommend. 

The emotions I had listening to this song again... if you're a crier, you may want to bring a tissue or two. 

2.) Reading for Fun

I finished Sylvia Plath's The Bell Jar last night and read right through E. Lockhart's We Were Liars today. 

My thoughts: 

The Bell Jar: Oh my goodness! There is a reason they call this one a classic. I was so disappointed to find out that this was Sylvia's only novel. Her writing style was my favorite kind to read. I was a little freaked out with how much I identified with Esther. I truly felt that our minds work the same way and it was so refreshing to know that someone else has felt the same things I'm feeling right now. 

Also, for the first time ever, I actually read this book slowly. I wanted to savor every bit of it, and I have a feeling I'll be buying my own copy so that I can reread my favorite passages. 

We Were Liars: I LOVE books like this one. Without spoiling it, it's a bit difficult to describe. It was about a girl who had an accident one summer and couldn't remember exactly what had happened. It was a page-turner and I finished it in one day! I kind of called the ending, but I was still surprised with it. Goosebumps guaranteed. 

3.) Fordham's Summer in the City Program

It's true, I obsessed about this last year, too. I cried, begged, and pleaded with my parents to let me go last summer, and when they finally agreed, I chickened out and got my deposit back.

But this year is different. I tell my roommate about it at least three times a week, I dream in New York, I've updated my resume, and I've visited the application page at least twelve times since it opened.

Except this year, my parents are more unrelenting than last year. My mom refuses to listen to any of my solid arguments (she accused me of trying to ruin Christmas when I brought it up earlier last week). I hate that it gets them so upset, but I know it's what I want need to do.

If anyone has advice on how to convince them that I'll be safe even though they'll be more than ten minutes away? I'm fairly certain I'll have to cut this umbilical cord with a chainsaw before we see the end of this. 

Missing New York

It's no secret that I love New York. I was incredibly jealous of all the girls who were able to attend the Smart Girls Conference last week (still not completely over it, but somehow life will go on). I'm already planning a trip for October -- how convenient is it that Mom's fall break and my birthday weekend fall at the same time? 

Anyway, I was looking through pictures from my past trips to the big apple and thought it would be fun to share some of the "artsy" ones (ha!) with y'all. Happy #FlashbackFriday! 

Ceiling at Ellis Island

Inside the Palace Theatre (Annie Gift Shop)

View of the Chrysler Building from the top of the Empire State Building

View from inside the MoMA

Hanging with Frida at the MoMA (Her eyebrow game: fierce)

Minton Tile Ceiling at Bethesda Terrace (@ Central Park)

RIP Juicy Couture

#DreamJob

I can't wait to go back! Keeping my fingers crossed that I'll be able to meet Carly or Hallie for coffee (and not fangirl all over the place). 

What are some of your favorite spots in the city? 

My Warby Parker Glasses

Fun fact about me: I have the worst vision ever. 

I started wearing glasses around age 2 when my lazy eye became an issue. (My left eye was completely crossed and I could have gone blind!) I had to wear an eye patch over my right (good) eye to try and fix the weak muscle. 

#PirateBaby

The late 90s and early 2000s were an era of large, thick glasses. It wasn't until the sixth grade when I finally convinced my parents to let me get contacts, and I've worn them ever since. 

Though I had nothing against my glasses, contacts have just always been easier for me. I still wear my glasses at night and on lazy days. It wasn't until just recently that I started wearing them more often. 

I fell in love with Warby Parker glasses after seeing them on The College Prepster. 

Unfortunately, there's no WP store in or near New Orleans, so I had to shop online. Luckily, they offer this amazing home-tryon service; you can pick out your favorite frames and they ship try-ons to your house for a week, free of charge! (I know, I was skeptical, too, but it really is absolutely free!) You decide which look best on you, ship them back with the included return label, and then order your own pair. Easy as pie! 

via Instagram

I got these try-on frames in December and ended up doing a second order of try-ons because I didn't absolutely love any of those on me.

I ended up choosing the Ainsworth frames in Walnut Tortoise.

(dirty camera lens = airbrushed finish)

All of their glasses are very reasonably priced ($95 with lenses!) because they create their own designs and sell them directly to you! If affordability alone isn't enough for you, chew on this: they donate a pair of glasses (over half a million and counting!) for every purchase to someone in need. 

I was inspired to write this post after waiting too long to order new contacts (Side note: you should not try to wear the same pair for two months. It's not healthy). Currently on week two of waiting for those silly little lenses.

Where are your favorite stores to shop for glasses? 

Matilda Madness

I cannot stop listening to the soundtrack from Matilda the Musical!

I've mentioned my love of musicals before, and I don't know how I hadn't gotten into Matilda before now! It gets bonus points because Matilda was one of my favorite movies and books when I was little! My friends and I would play Matilda (one of us would point at a toy and the other would move it around!)

I haven't seen it, but I know show really has a great message. The songs are Just. So. Catchy.

I'm seriously contemplating voice lessons because I've been singing "Naughty," "Quiet," and "Revolting Children" nonstop!

And how adorable are the original Matildas from the New York show??

It's impossible to pick a favorite! They are all so cute!

This obsession may have started before I watched the Broadway.com video blog Looks Not Books, but now I cannot get enough of Matilda! 

If you don't believe me, go listen to soundtrack previews right now! 

I'm in the process of planning a weekend trip to NYC just to see this show.

I like to listen to soundtracks a lot. Movie soundtracks are always fun because the songs are usually all a little taste of something different!

What are some of your favorite soundtracks right now? Broadway or movie! 

A Year in Review!

I know, we're already a week into 2014, but a review of last year seemed appropriate. 2013 was a year full of excitement and change! It will definitely go down in my record book as one of the best years of my young life. 

High School Graduation

I finally graduated! High school was definitely a journey, and I couldn't be happier to be starting another chapter in my life. And after spending 14 years (counting pre-k and kindergarden) in Catholic school wearing pressed white shirts and plaid skirts, college has been quite a change!

Theater

I discovered my love of theater in 2013, specifically musicals. 

I had the time of my life in my school play, Annie. I also got to see two spectacular Broadway musicals in New York this summer, Annie and Wicked. I can't say enough good. If you ever have the opportunity to see a broadway show, JUMP AT IT! You won't regret it. 

I also saw the The Book of Mormon when it came to New Orleans! Such a fun time! 

New York City

With my adorable little cousin.

On my trip there this June, I had an absolutely amazing time! I could do a whole post on my love of New York City and another on my trip, so for brevity's sake, I'll make this quick:

I LOVE NEW YORK. I know I need to live there sometime in the future. The city has a sort of pulse that you can feel as you're walking down those crowded streets. It's like it has a beating heart and the scurrying people are like the blood in it's street-veins. 

I've spent most of winter break obsessing over exploring NYU and Columbia Law. Why must they be sooo expensive?

College

Soooo excited on move-in day!

I'm having such a great time in college! I definitely wasn't one of the girls who peaked in middle or high school (still don't think I'm actually peaking yet? That sounds silly...), so being able to have a fresh start with college has been great! I honestly think I'm learning to come out of my shell (I was such a shy and quiet kid) and have made some new friends as a result. Finishing the semester with a 4.0 was icing on the cake of a lovely first semester.

PHI MU

As an only child, the opportunity to gain over a hundred amazing sisters really appealed to me. I knew from the first day of recruitment week that I needed to be a Phi Mu lady, and I love so much about Greek life. My school is small compared to most, but having a family group makes it much cozier and certainly puts me at ease. You're never going to be able to like all of your sisters, but I can really feel the bond between us. Any Phi Mu readers out there? LIOB!

I'm excited to see what 2014 has in store for me! I love January because it's like a new beginning. Life starts over a little bit every time the seasons change. Although I'm absolutely loving this cold weather, before we know it, the snow will have melted (figuratively in Louisiana) and spring will have sprung! 

Will 2014 be your year?