SOCIAL MEDIA

2.28.2014

Photography Friday Blog Hop

 
Welcome to the Photography Friday Blog hop! This is a blog linkup that focuses on Photography, at any skill level or experience. Each week we want to encourage you to get out and take some photos! It doesn't matter what Camera you have - an iPhone, a DSLR, a film camera, an instax - Just get out and press that shutter! Blog about your photographic awesomeness and link up here to share it every friday. If you'd like feedback on something, leave a comment asking what you'd like to know and your host will be happy to provide you with some.
It has been a gloomy week here in the Bay Area. When I woke up on Wednesday morning, I could hear the rain hitting the pavement outside my window. I quickly turned off my alarm, rolled over to face the window, and pulled Marly close to me, who was burrowed underneath the covers. We laid there like that for a few minutes before he woke up a bit more and wiggled his way up to lick my face, saying good morning, mom with his deep eyes and wagging tail.

After finally convincing myself to get out of bed, I noticed the lovely, quiet light that filled my bedroom. I couldn't help but grab my camera to capture this peaceful moment before a busy day began.


Each week we will choose a new Photographer to be featured! To be considered for next week, please link up your photography post below and make sure you are following your hosts & co-hosts. These two things will qualify you for being a featured photographer!
Deborah from Blown a Wish Photography has been doing a 365 project this year and linked up this weeks photos for Photography friday. I'm always in love with her photos, but I was particularly drawn to this one. Deborah has some serious talent, and I love her weekly roundup from her 365 project!
001. Please follow your host/co-hosts and featured photographer!
002. Link up your blog post instead of your main blog URL.
003. Please link back to this link-up in your post, either with a text link or a button. The more people who link up each week means more people see your work, so please help us out any way you can :)
004. Visit and check out as many blogs as you can! Leave comments and love. This link-up is about community, so make some friends!

*NEW!*
Click Here to grab a different button!




2.27.2014

Journal Day // A Song + A Story

I was reading Sometimes Sweet the other day and came across Danielle's post about Journal Day. Though I have only recently been reading Danielle's blog, it has quickly become one of my favorites and I wish I were lucky enough to have an English teacher as cool as her when I was in high school. In her post about Journal Day, Danielle talks about how in her teaching days she would often have a prompt on the board ready for her students to spend some time writing about once class began, and then each student would share a piece of what they wrote. I love the idea of this and am so happy that she is bringing it to her blog (she actually used to do this & is starting it back up again). This is such a great way to focus on what blogging is all about: writing.

So now that you know what this is all about, onward...

This week's prompt is: "Choose a song that has a particular meaning to you. Tell the story of the memory associated with the song, sharing as much detail as you can. Take us there; let us experience it with you."

I love music and have so many songs that hold great meaning to me, so it was pretty tough to narrow it down to just one to write about. I started to think about this blog and realized that the answer was obvious: talk about the name behind my blog. Duh, since I'm sure you probably didn't know it was actually inspired by a song, a song called "Foreign Room" by the band Telekinesis. Original, right?

I first fell in love with Telekinesis back in 2009, when I saw them open for another band. That summer, I must have listened to their album at least 2-3 times per day. While I basically love every song on that album, the song "Foreign Room" always stirred up in me something that was the most unique. After that, I always perked up a bit when I heard it, but it didn't hold as much meaning to me until a couple years ago.

Ever since my senior of high school (I graduated in 2012), I have struggled with the idea of growing up, being on my own, being responsible, and really just not being a "kid" anymore. I remember applying to colleges really scared me and stressed me out. Obviously college apps are a stressful time for most people, but I think (looking back) that whole time gave me anxiety because I simply wasn't ready to leave home. After a lot of thinking, I decided to stay home and go to community college, and since then have started working as a nanny, have become (mostly) financially responsible, have travelled more than I ever have in my life, and have started looking forward to what the future holds more than I am afraid of it.

So, where does this song come in?

Every time I listen to it, it just reminds me of all that, and of how much I have grown over the past few years. It also reminds me to enjoy where I am in the present, because that too will soon just be a memory, a time, and a place that I can't go back to. That is honestly kind of scary, but also good because I know that there are so many great things ahead as well. This songs makes me feel bittersweet in that way, but also grounded in what life is really about.

In a picture we were young, look at us now
Across the globe a thousand times, but I never made it back
Back to the foreign room, now I lead a foreign life.

Foreign Room by Telekinesis on Grooveshark

So then I went and named my blog after it. I guess I did it because of the constant growth that occurs in us as humans, and because of how scenes in life change, the familiar changing and becoming the past without us even being aware of it at times.

Also, funny note, sometimes Dai makes fun of me being a blogger, and says things like "Oh, I need to take some photos so I can post them on my blog, Ancient Room." And then he just laughs and laughs and thinks he is the most clever person.

But if he really wanted to be funny, he would call it Familiar Room. Come on, Dai.

Anyway, it is really late as I write this and I think this post is getting more incoherent as I go on. But I hope you enjoyed reading it and getting to know a little piece of me a bit better. I loved writing this and am thinking of making these Journal Days a regular thing around here.

Happy Thursday!


2.26.2014

The B Word + Free Download


Today I want to talk about the "B" word. You know the one... BUDGET. It is easily my least favorite word, along with "running" and "homework." I've never been great with managing my money, but with all of the expensive things coming up in my life, I have to try to learn how to be pretty quickly. I've actually been doing really well this past month, since I have been trying to make a conscious effort to be more responsible in that area of my life.

To help myself, I created a worksheet that outlines everything from my weekly income, credit card & bank account balances, expenses, and savings. It has really helped me to understand where every penny goes each month. By thinking of things in this way and filling in the blanks of my worksheet, I am easily able to see what my "overflow" is, which would be my spending money. I think that aspect was especially important for me because it has helped me to see what I really can and cannot afford each week. Before, I would just go swiping my debit card all around town without a care in the world, not really keeping track of where my money was going. Now I am much more aware and selective of what I choose to spend money on because I have an actual number in my head that I know I need to stick to each week.
The worksheet I created keeps me on track and accountable by clearly outlining my finances. After developing this worksheet, I thought it might help some of you as well! I decided to make it available as a free download for all you lovelies, and leave blank lines so you can customize if for your own specific needs.

I hope that this worksheet helps you as much as it has helped me so far!

What are your thoughts about budgeting? Do you have a system? Tell me, friends!


2.25.2014

Sponsor Love // Gipsy Dharma


Hello all! Tonight I have something very unique for you. A few weeks ago, I teamed up with a brand called Gipsy Dharma to share a look into their unique line and business. I guess I shouldn't say their business because it is actually backed by just one girl carrying out her dream of producing handmade clothing and real leather boots for a carefree lifestyle. I love to see people that are passionate about what they do, and this company is bursting at the seams with it.

This brand was all started by the Miss Gipsy Queen (as I like to call her) making clothing and footwear for herself to wear to music festivals. After posting photos on her Facebook page, interest grew and she started creating pieces for others, her Wales and England based brand quickly growing into what it is today.


As you can see by the intricate details above, there is so much thought and care that goes into each pair. I love that each pair is extremely unique and are available in so many fun colors & patterns!

Adding to the passion and whole-heartedness of this brand is the fact that the owner and creator models all of her own products in the photos found on her site! I think that is simply amazing! You can see that she thoroughly believes in her brand, not only as a business, but as a way of life. And is super confident in herself (you go girl!)!

While I am not quite bold enough to wear the super fun skirts and tops Gipsy Dharma specializes in, I do really like the boots. I could actually see myself wearing a pair of the ankle boots with something like leggings and a comfy sweater! These plum colored ones are my very favorite.

Be sure to check out the Gipsy Dharma website, "like" their Facebook page, and follow along via Twitter for the chance to win a pair of these babies. This brand does weekly giveaways!! How cool is that? Though Gipsy Dharma is based in Europe, they do ship internationally!

Lastly, I just want to say a quick thank you to Gipsy Dharma for collaborating with me and choosing to sponsor my blog!
Gipsy Dharma



Disclosure: This was a sponsored post. While I may have been compensated in some way, all views and opinions are my own.
2.24.2014

Outfit // Red Lipped Girl


I've had this post sitting in my drafts for a week now and I am so happy to finally publish it! I am quite happy with how these turned out and am impressed by how much Dai's outfit photographing skills have improved. And by how we have been getting along much better during shoots!
I have been thinking about personal style more lately and have decided on a few things that make up my ideal outfit: easiness, simple elegance, and versatility. I prefer neutrals with added pops of color. Whites, blacks, and blues are my best friends. I like things that are classical with a touch of modernity.
While it is nice to stick to classic looks and neutral colors, I also want to have an element of boldness in my style. I have realized that the most realistic and comfortable way for me to achieve this is through accessories and makeup, starting with a red lip!
Over the past year or so, I have been wearing a red lip more and more, but don't always feel confident enough to do so. I think it is pretty, but sometimes I am just Oh no, what if I am sticking out too much? I've been learning to just go with it, mostly because it is good for me to take chances and be bold. If you can't take risks with lipstick, what else are you stopping yourself from taking risks on?

I have realized that taking risks and being bold has been popping up quite often in my life lately, not only in dilemmas about style. First of all, I'm taking a huge financial leap and going to Japan. Like really. Wow. Also, I think I'm being bold by making the last minute decision to go to Washington DC next week, even though it is expensive and will likely be a tough trip. Lastly, I would say that I have been more bold and true to myself with this blog lately. I have been very proud of that and am excited to see how I & this space will continue to grow.

I also see myself being bold in many other areas of life like when/where/how I decide to finish college, perhaps starting my own business as a career path, spending time traveling, and maybe even living abroad one day.

For today, though, I think I will start with lipstick.

Outfit Details:
Shirt // American Eagle
Skirt // Lauren Conrad via Kohls
Tights // Vera Wang via Kohls
Shoes // Crown Vintage via DSW
Bag // Madewell


Taking Stock // Volume I

First of all, I just want to say a huge thank you for all of your kind and loving comments on my last post. I have read them all at least ten times throughout this weekend and have been comforted by each one. All the warm thoughts really made me feel so loved. After thinking it over all weekend, I decided to make the trip out to Washington DC to see my aunt, and booked my flight/hotel tonight. I don't want to have any regrets and my heart still aches that I never got to see my great grandma one last time. I don't want to feel that way about my aunt, and since I have figured it all out and am able to, I'm going to go. I know it will be a bittersweet and emotionally draining trip, but in my heart I feel that it is right. So, again, thank you from the bottom of my heart for all your love and support.

Secondly, after reading Abby's post and Heather's post, I decided that this would be the perfect time to "take stock" on my life lately. I really like this idea as a journal of sorts for me to reflect on my feelings and interests every few months.

This is a long post, but it is a quiet Sunday night and isn't that what those are for anyway?

Taking Stock (Vol. I)

making // a little bit of artwork for the first time in quite a while. i don't really feel like an artist anymore and that breaks my heart.

cooking // I've been into roasted brussels sprouts lately! they're so yummy. also, dai made me some delicious homemade chicken noodle soup tonight. that man can cook.

drinking // water water water. i've been so thirsty.

reading // nothing right now. i read two books in January, but nothing in February. any suggestions?

wanting // to write a book. a lot is swimming around inside me and maybe i could make something from it, get my thoughts onto pages. who knows.

looking // at inspiration for a DIY desk. i'd like one that is nearly the entire length of one wall in my bedroom. a girl can dream.

playing // Pandora. fleet foxes station has been my thing lately.

wasting // days not creating anything.

sewing // nothing. it's not my thing.

wishing // tomorrow were saturday again already.

enjoying // listening to marly softly snore next to me in bed.

waiting // for Margot & The Nuclear So and So's to release west coast tour dates for their new album.

liking // how pretty my valentine's flowers still look sitting across the room on my desk.

wondering // where in the world Sydney has gone. Like really.

loving // the fact that I am typing this from my cozy bed.

hoping // the Margot dates for SF won't be 21+ because i will be very sad. and will have to start searching for a fake ID.

marveling // at the fact that i am really going to Japan in 57 days!

smelling // not much right now because i am pretty stuffed up with a cold.

needing // sleep, relaxation, and adventure.

wearing // pajamas. my best friend.

following // my heart.

noticing // the weather and daylight changing.

knowing // I am loved.

thinking // about going to sleep and what my trip to DC will be like.

bookmarking // blog posts about natural skin and hair care, mostly involving coconut oil.

opening // and closing my eyes as i finish this list.

giggling // when i think about my super long walk earlier with Dai. we do silly things when we take walks.

feeling // tired, yet content and ready to take on the busyness of the next few weeks.


2.21.2014

Purple Flowers + What's Really Going On In My Life


Things have been quiet in this space this week. Mostly because I have not had any words flow out of me and nothing seemed appropriate to be posting when I feel the way that I do right now. I could not put on a fake smile and publish the outfit post or sponsored post that was really on the agenda for this week. I just could not do it.

I wasn't sure if I wanted to write about this here since I try to only fill this space with positivity. But then again, I always strive to be genuine and authentic in my writing, and I suppose I would be doing myself a disservice to ignore what is actually going on in my life. And maybe it would be good for me to form my thoughts into words to share.

So I guess any story should start from the beginning. And the beginning is that I have several great aunts that are my mom's father's sisters. I think I touched on that in this post about my grandpa, but I didn't know any of them until I was in 5th grade because our family had been disconnected years ago. I was always curious to get to know my grandpa and wrote him a letter one day to the address I had, the only shred of hope to contact him. With that letter, I was opened up to an entirely new family I had known nothing about, including five great aunts.

One of these aunts is my Aunt Andrea. She has lived such a rich life. She has been married for 40 years to my Uncle Albert, with whom she has one daughter with that is now married and in her 30s. She has lived in Los Angeles her entire married life, and has become well known in all the communities she has been apart of. She was an officer for the LAPD, was on the board of a cancer research foundation, and gives an art scholarship in her name every year at her college alma mater (LMU). I have always loved the times I have gotten to spend with her and my uncle. Usually about once a year I would make a point to spend a week with them and we would do anything from shop (Anthro is her favorite too!), take walks, go to museums, eat sweets (she has quite the sweet tooth), and watch Dancing with the Stars (I hate it, but only tolerate it for her).

Her daughter and son-in-law live in Washington DC and work as FBI agents. Living on the opposite coast as her only child has been heartbreaking for her, as you can imagine. Last summer, when her daughter announced that she was pregnant with her first child, my aunt and uncle decided to pack up and finally make the move to Virginia this January, when the baby was expected to arrive.

During the fall, as they were packing and making moving arrangements, my uncle started to have health problems. He has struggled with back issues for years now, but things got much worse this past fall. I really don't know all the details, but I know that he was in the hospital for a couple periods of time and that my aunt had started filling her days with being his caretaker. It was unfortunate, but things would be okay and the move would continue as planned.

Thanksgiving and Christmas came and went, and I awoke to a call from another aunt on New Year's Day, my Aunt Alexa. She had called to inform me that my Aunt Andrea was in the hospital because she woke up and could not walk. At first, it seemed as though it may have just been a pinched nerve, but it became more clear that it was likely cancer. She was waiting to have a certain scan (technical terms have escaped me) that would tell us more, but would prevent her from flying for 2-6 weeks, missing the birth of her granddaughter.

The scan was delayed due to the holidays and they decided to make their move first. Miracles happened, and she and my uncle (both unable to walk) were escorted by their son-in-law and one of my cousin's on a plane back to DC, just before snow storms hit and their daughter went into labor. They have been there ever since, my aunt in the hospital and my uncle now in an assisted living residency. Their daughter gave birth to her baby girl just two days after their arrival.

My aunt has been diagnosed. She has a tumor on her brain (preventing her from walking) and stage four lung cancer in both of her lungs. About three weeks ago, she had an operation called a brain slice that would hopefully remove the tumor, and then they could start to work on her lungs. It would take a couple months to actually know if the operation was successful.

To make an already long story a bit shorter, she had another brain scan last weekend and three more tumors were found. They have given her 3 months to live. She has stopped eating, is starting to become disoriented, and is quickly losing the strength to talk.

I am truly devastated and don't know how things can change so quickly. This is the woman from this post and these photos. She looks so healthy and full of life. I just don't understand this. All of my aunts greatly believe in me and encourage me, but my Aunt Andrea is the one I would call and cry to during my senior year of high school when I was just stressed and confused about everything. She has always been there for me whenever I needed her and provided a maternal comfort that I have lacked most of my life. She made me feel better and I could tell her anything.

I found out the urgency of this situation on Wednesday afternoon. I have not quite been the same since then and have been trying to figure out how to deal with all this. I am grateful for all of the people who have given me their love, have listened to me talk about this, given me advice, and have just cried with me. I have been trying to go about life as normally as possible, and have been successful at it, but things have just been tainted by a melancholy feeling in the background, you know?

As for making my way out to Virginia right now to see her, I just don't know if it is going to be possible. Flights are very costly and it is not something I can afford to do right now, sadly. Also, I have been warned that the quality of our visit will likely not be great, but I honestly don't care if it meant I could hold her hand and hug her one last time. And then maybe there is a miracle out there with her name on it. I am not sure. God and time will only tell.

So that is what is happening with me right now. I will admit, I do feel a bit better getting all these words out of me. It makes it all more manageable and like I can actually move forward through it all. For now, I think my next step this weekend is to get photos printed, a birthday card made, and a letter written to send to her. Her 70th birthday is coming up on March 9th. I think it will be good for me to get thoughts out on paper for her so that she knows just how I feel about her.

Believe it or not, I am at Starbucks while I write this, so I think that is enough public crying for me today. I'm off to spend some time in the sun at the dog park with my Marly and have a little lunch before I head to work. In other news, I applied to renew my passport this morning and am having a photo shoot with my nephew tomorrow, so that should brighten my weekend.

Thank you to those of you who read all the way to the end of this post. Virtual hugs and kisses to you all.




2.18.2014

Why I Love My Nutribullet


About a month ago, I was wandering through Target with Dai and we stopped to look in the kitchen section (because he is obsessed with it). That's when I saw the NutriBullet and was immediately intrigued by it. I read every word on the box and was sold. Since it happened to be on sale and I had some birthday money stashed away, I decided it had to be mine.

So, what is it exactly? According to the box, it is a "nutrition extractor," which supposedly makes it better than a blender for making smoothies, and better than a juicer because of all the nutritious fibers a juicer disposes of.

To me, it is two important things: 1) a smaller, easier to use & clean "blender" of sorts and 2) a more cost effective and healthier alternative to juicing.

After watching a documentary about juicing back in 2012, I was very interested in it and attempted to make it a regular part of my routine. It was great while it lasted, but the juicer was annoying to clean and discarded so much of what I actually put into it. It turns out that all the stuff the juicer deemed as "waste" is actually very important. Also, because the juicer didn't use all that I put into it, the practice quickly got very expensive. And the results tasted awful anyway.

Here's the other thing: I am lazy. Yep, I said it. I love that I can just dump whatever I want in here, turn it on for about 30 seconds, and BOOM I have breakfast, lunch, or sometimes even dinner. It is simple and doesn't take up much of my time, which is very important to me as a college student constantly on the go.

Over the past month, I have been experimenting with all types of ingredients. It has been a lot of fun to try new things and test out different combinations to find what I like best. To me, the smoothies taste great. I have gotten used to a heavier greens taste and don't mind it much. The unsweetened almond milk I usually add also gives it a smoother, creamier taste.

As recommended in the NutriBullet handbook, I try to make the majority of my smoothie greens based, with just a bit of fruit. Fruit is great for you, but it is also very sugary, so the most nutrition comes from the greens. I buy a "power greens" mix at Costco that I just love. I usually just add a few handfuls of that, a bit of fruit (frozen is great for thickening and cooling your drink), maybe some almonds, some seeds (such as chia, flax, or pumpkin), and some almond or coconut milk. Then I just blend it up! 
Using my NutriBullet has been wonderful so far. I love starting my mornings with a big green smoothie. I feel more energized, light, and ready to take on the day when I do. I also sometimes make a smoothie at lunch time to bring with me to work and drink for dinner when I have to head to my night class. It gives me a second wind and helps me to focus on my work that evening in class. Plus, the smoothie container comes with a lid, so it travels well and keeps well in the fridge until I am ready to drink it a few hours later. I just give it a quick shake and it is good to go!

To wrap things up, I thought I would share one of my favorite recipes to date:

- a few handfuls of greens (I like mine heavy on the greens, so I fill the blending container about 2/3 full)
- a small handful of frozen pineapple
- 1/2 a banana
- about 10 almonds
- 1 spoonful of flax seeds
- 1 spoonful of chia seeds
- about 8oz of almond milk (you can also add some water too if you would like)

I hope you enjoyed this look into my new favorite toy! I am definitely having a lot of fun with it and can't wait to keep experimenting. I think it will be great to have this summer to make all sorts of refreshing drinks, maybe even some with iced tea in them too!

Have you heard of a NutriBullet or have thought about getting one? Do you already have one? What are your thoughts on it or making smoothies in general? Tell me, friends!

If you have any questions at all, don't be afraid to ask :)