Trip to LA: Art Museums and New Shoes

Hello readers! I'm just nearing the end of my summer, and I got to spend one of my last few weeks exploring LA. I wanted post some photos and whatnot for all of you to share my trip with you. This first one is the first two days, where I went to LACMA, Third Street Promenade, and the Grove. I also ate at some cute restaurants. Enjoy <3

urban light

I didn't know these stores existed I was ecstatic

got a new pair of converse- I'd had the other ones for a year now

urban light all lit up

yellow umbrellas

warhol

preach

look at those colors

Monet

I just really like peaches and still lives

cute french restaurant

mmm

Miracle Mile

Matisse

This is kind of a weird painting but look how huge and amazingly it's done! I'm reading the caption in the corner haha. Pretty interesting.

Blogger Party !!

Hey readers! Today I wanted to participate in a quick tag from Abigail Lennah from the Ups & Downs. She recently did a post about her dream blogger meet up, and I was so excited to participate. If you haven't read her post yet, go read it, because all her ideas are so awesome. As for my dream blogger party (to which you are ALL invited):

Venue: Ok definitely a big city, such as New York or LA. We'd need a lot of places to visit and aesthetic things to do. Plus exploring the city with all of you in small groups, taking photos, eating at little cafes, and buying stuff at little shops would be so much fun.

Three Foods:
1) Pancakes. Every morning. Vanessa did a pancake tag forever ago and I still haven't gotten those photos out of my head I need to eat a pancake breakfast with you all.
2) Tea and coffee (even though they are drinks) because who hasn't posted a photo of their aesthetic drink before? Plus I'm pretty sure every blogger has either a tea or coffee obsession (or at least all the ones I've talked to).
3) Pasta and salad. Because it's pasta and salad and everyone likes it and nothing is better than spaghetti and caesar salad after a long day out.

Five Artists or Bands: Oh no. I'm going to try and choose not super obscure stuff ok I'm really trying.
1) Panic! At the Disco because don't pretend like half of you guys aren't secretly emo ok we're going to need that.
2) Probably Lorde because her new Melodrama album is priceless and would be great to listen to while talking and chilling late into the night.
3) American Authors are also just nice to jam and generally upbeat and happy too add those guys in there.
4) Depeche Mode. Because aesthetic jam.
5) Ed Sheeran because I'm pretty sure everyone knows some of his songs and they're all pretty nice and pleasant.

Three Activities:
1) TAKING PHOTOS OF THE AESTHETICS
2) Ranting. About books and movies and art and everything in between.
3) Probably sitting around reading because let's be real like over half of us are introverts and are going to need that downtime. I'm not an extrovert so I'll be partaking in that. For extroverts who don't want to read (because you very well might and if so please join us) there will be an ongoing dance party which everyone is free to participate in (including introverts I love dancing so I will also be there).

Collab Post to Do At the Party:
Hmm. I feel like it would be fun to write a story with some of you writers out there. Or maybe a creative thing where each of us tells a story from a different characters perspective and puts them all together to make a very dynamic impression of a single experience? Let me know if you want to participate in that with me haha I feel like it would be so cool.

What Interactions or Habits Would You Notice? Well the first thing that popped into my head is that I'd see who was actually a neat organized person and who just sweeps everything off their desk so they can take the "clean" picture. I am an in between to be honest. I would also like to see who is constantly writing/drawing in notebooks (me) or taking photos with their fancy camera. I like to watch artists in action. Also I'm excited to see my fashion blogger friends preparing special outfits for days out (give me some tips please).


Well that's it guys, who wants to come? You're all invited. I seriously wish we could all get together like this, how amazing would it be? You're all tagged to participate in this as well, highly recommend, it was super fun. Also, participate in Abigail's Blogger Yearbook, it's awesome for her to put together and we need everyone in it!

A Day at the Zoo

only two weeks of summer left, so I went to the zoo (one of my favorite places)

credits for most of these photos to Davy

and listen to this because I'm kind of emo

Hello Friends + Summer Playlist

Hey friends, I just wanted to acknowledge that it's been pretty quiet over here on my blog lately, and assure you that it is not because I've forgotten you! I've been working at campus for the last two weeks, and am about to start my third week in a row tomorrow, so there's not many aesthetic adventures to report on right now. What have I been up to? Lots of reading, reorganizing my room, watching youtube, and experimenting with new art supplies. I've also been spending a significant amount of time watching superhero movies and Disney Channel movies. I also am working on a new project- I'm hoping to launch an art youtube channel soon, so I've been spending a lot of time getting that ready. I'll of course let you all know the details of that once it's up and running. To compensate for my lack of interesting posting material, enjoy these songs I've been jamming to this summer, and comment with your favorites <3

The Sound of Sunshine- Michael Franti & Spearhead

Gravedweller- The Wytches

Ain’t it Fun- Paramore

Cardiac Arrest- Bad Suns

Beetles- Warpaint

The Phoenix- Fall Out Boy

Coming Up Roses- Elliott Smith

Goodbye Soleil- Phoenix

Green Eyes- Wavves

Caldera- Far Away Stables

Seattle Rain- 888

Portugal- Walk the Moon

Under the Sun- DIIV

All of the Dead Girls- DREAMCAR

Hollow Visions- Eagulls

Monsoon- Amber Mark

You’re a Germ- Wolf Alice

Caroline- Animal Years

Amsterdam- Nothing But Thieves

Signal- Sylvan Esso

Smoochie- Father John Misty

Cheerleader- Omi

Time is Running Out- Muse

Girls Chase Boys- Ingrid Michaelson

She’s lost Control- Joy Division

Lay me Down- Dirty Heads

Handsome Devil- The Smiths

Vacation- The Go-Go’s & Go-Go’s

All I Think About Now- Pixies

Best Day of My Life- American Authors

About A Girl- Nirvana

Television/ So Far So Good- Rex Orange County

A Dead Night Again- The Wytches

Screen- Twenty-One Pilots

Honestly- American Football

True Care- James Vincent McMorrow

In Circles- Sunny Day Real Estate

Perfect Places- Lorde

Creep- Radiohead

The Day That I first Met You- Ben Talmi

Feels Like We’re Dying- Johnny Goth

Sonder- Homebound

I Was All Over Her- Salvia Palth

Land of the Living- Plain White T’s

Nostalgic Feel- Bedroom

Fourth of July- Fall Out Boy

Anyone Can PLay Guitar- Radiohead

Bus Stop- Andreas Moe

Nothing’s Gonna Hurt You Baby- Cigarettes After Sex

Feel It- tobyMac

The Less I Know the Better- Tame Impala

Strangers- Halsey

For Tomorrow- Blur

Spice Up Your Life- Patent Pending

Summertime- My Chemical Romance

Feels Like Summer- Weezer

40oz. Repeat- FIDLAR

Caught in the Middle- Paramore

Trouble- Cage the Elephant

Blank Space- Taylor Swift

Two-Headed Boy- Neutral Milk Hotel

Anna Sun- Walk the Moon

Freaks- Surf Curse

Simple Things- Brooklyn and Bailey

Violet- Marika Hackman

Oil on Water- Bastille

Dead Fox- Courtney Barnett

Oh No Pedro-Tom Rosenthal

Immortals- Fall Out Boy

Smooth Jazz- Sorority Noise

Shut Up and Dance- Walk the Moon

Draw Your Swords- Angus & Julia Stone

Here Comes the Sun- The Beatles

Maud Gone- Car Seat Headrest

Our Colors- Lions Lions

Why Am I The One- Fun.

(S)He Said- The Cardboard Swords

A Song for the Sunset- Departures

Bury It- CHVRCHES

Bird & Worm Real Estate- The Island of Misfit Toys

Crimewave- Crystal Castles

Airplane Dance- Circa Survive

California Gurls- Katy Perry

A Faint Illusion- Tides of Man

Surfin’ Safari- The Beach Boys

What I want- Cende

Bury Me- Breathe Carolina

Willow- The Arcadian Wild

Cinderella- Odessos

Paint this Town- Anarbor

Niagara- Chase Huglin

Metaphor- Mt. Eddy

Book Review: Bone Gap

Before I start, I just wanted to say that I acknowledge that it's been a long time since I've written a book review. The truth is, I've had to step back in the past six months and reevaluate why I was reading, why I was doing book reviews, and why I was choosing the books I did. I've decided I want to write book reviews on books I enjoy because I want to write book reviews on books I enjoy, and for no other reason than that. Thank you for being patient with me<3

Summary: Bone Gap by Laura Ruby is a contemporary fantasy mixed with realistic fiction, that artfully combines elements of mythology with the trudge of daily life and themes of love and loss. It uses multiple character perspectives to explore these concepts. Finn and Sean live together in Bone Gap, abandoned by everyone and more alone than not. Roza has been abducted by a strange man and is trapped within his hell disguised as heaven. And no matter how many times Finn tries to describe to the people of Bone Gap her kidnapping, nobody believes him. From magical horses and bee-eyed girls, Finn tries to sort out the truth from the myth, and endlessly searches for his missing friend.

Review
I started this book hesitantly, the style felt unfamiliar and awkward for the first few chapters, the characters were confusing, and the plot impossible to follow. I thought about putting it down, but I decided to give it one last chance.

And I'm so glad I did.

This book, once it got into its' rhythm, was amazingly written and so delicately and artistically dealt with complex concepts. I was amazed, by the end, by the way the author had basically defined love and at the same time left it open for reader interpretation. The themes this book expressed were profound, and I appreciated the fact that if focused on many emotional aspects of life, instead of just one static issue. It allowed the characters to be whole people, instead of defined by a trait or feeling. I also loved the style of this book, and the way it was written. There were so many good metaphors and similes in this book, and excellent comparisons. The writing style was so freshly unique and beautiful, I couldn't get enough of it.

I loved the characters in this book. Basically all of them. I enjoyed reading from every point of view, and that's saying something.

Another favorite aspect of this book was how it combined mythos and reality, without defining anything as mythology. Other nerds like myself may have recognized the Fields of Asphodel and the allusions to the myth of Persephone and Hades. But it was never explicitly stated, just carefully woven into the story. It was excellent. I also loved how myths were, before that, constantly mentioned, but only in a background way, like a books on a shelf in Petey's room. Other themes and symbols were threaded throughout as well, the most obvious being corn and bees. It gave the book a strong aesthetic and sense of personality, that keeps it differentiated from other books in your mind.

Finally, I loved the exploration of relationships throughout this book- relationship between brothers, lovers, bullies, dogs, cats, plants, nature, town, etc. Also the way it dealt with beauty- as an appearance and as a true expression of a person.

My only drawback to this book was that I felt the ending was rushed, and not all of the plot was closed. Some things in the ending still didn't quite add up, and I found myself feeling like it was too easy.

Overall, I thought this book excellent, and highly recommend picking it up. What did you think of it? Did you pick up all the subtle themes threaded throughout? Comment below <3

Pleasant Land // Psalm 16

dedicated to my trailhead family. I love you all. you grow flowers in my heart, and this poem will forever be written for you. <3

Crumpled leaves

People bind their books in gold thread

Or wrap them in grocery paper bag

Either way

Words on my cheeks

He writes them in day-old tears and copic marker

Refuge

I hear acoustic guitar somewhere behind the library’s cold walls, whispering Psalms, the distant sound of my tired, heavy feet crunching over that hot concrete months ago

Where were you in the crisis?

Clinging

I say

Clinging

Clinging to tree branches, poetry, song lyrics, flower petals, blue skies, bus stops, and most of all

To refuge

And now

I am in the blessing

For honey is on my tongue and I wake up with it dripped all over the screen of my phone

Ripe apples

Bright red

And heartbeats

I am in the blessing but I hear the shadows behind me, whispering

“Three leaved clovers mean nothing”

They grab at my heels

And bite my neck as I shake in bed

Quietly terrified

I say to them

Lips trembling

“I am in the blessing”

“This land is pleasant”

They hiss in reply

“Blessings are a lie and pleasantries a falsehood”

“All flowers die eventually”

I crouch on the dirt floor

Dead oak leaves scattered around me

And ask my Father

When the demons learned to imitate His voice

He replies

“they are the deceiver but I am the Truth”

He carries me

Bloody

Dried out

Torn

To a cool room made of stone

With stained glass windows letting in murmurs of gentle sunlight

He carries me there and places me on a bed of white

And helps my dead body learn

To rest

And grow lilies out of my ribcage

I’m so shaky

Though

In my prayers I scream frantic apologies for crumbling bone and unsteady fingers on piano keys

And a loss of trust that means a loss of hope

I’m terrified because somehow I’ve lost the puzzle pieces to the space under the couch and pictures don’t make sense anymore

Screaming screaming screaming

To blurry windows and cracked mirrors

Somewhere above my hurricane

The sky

Crackles

Blinding Light

He Says

BE STILL

And I am

I am

I Am

And I drown in tears and grace because

My poetry

Never ends

But neither does

His unfailing love

Summer!!

Summer is ((finally)) here!

I had a wonderful first day of freedom enjoying the sunshine at the beach. There was also a lot of music and some Panda Express involved. Bliss.

I just wanted to chat a bit with you all about my summer goals and plans. Here's what I'll be up to:

working at camps

GeTtiNg mY LiCEnSe

going to the beach and/or swimming every day

racing my friend to 100 pages of writing by the end of the summer (you're going down Liv)

watching all the Star Wars movies with my nerd of a boyfriend

possibly going to Warped Tour?

babysitting

shopping ((because I need to buy myself new clothes it's time))

blogging with all you

filling up sketchbooks

completing some large paintings

working on watercolor skills

sleeping in

waking up early

drinking iced tea

working on my comic

reading comics

playing Magic the Gathering

playing video games

READING ALL THE BOOKS EVER

taking aesthetic photos

taking not-aesthetic selfies

chilling with friends

listening to large amounts of music

going to the movies

writing poetry about everything

spending too much time on Pinterest

staying at a college for two weeks (ahh)

touring more colleges

hanging with sisters and neighbors

eating popsicles

enjoying the sun

I think that's most of it? If I missed any I'll add them :) What are all of your summer plans? Stay cool <3