looking at the mutated skyline

There's something about my end of the year blog entries that gets me more traffic than normal. So remember last entry I quoted Jack Cazir about books and girls? Check it out, he tweeted at me the other day! Isn't that cool? Jack writes for Thought Catalog, a digital magazine that I WORSHIP. Thought Catalog is a brilliant conglomeration of articles about culture, dating, life etc. I think what makes it great is it verbalizes all of the things we've been thinking or wanting to say but don't know how to or are too embarrassed to. Anyway. Thanks for the tweet Jack. You can read all of his article here.

 Today I saw The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo. I was a little apprehensive when I heard that they were making an American version, because I thought the Swedish versions were already so good. I've read and loved all of the books, especially the first one. This film is excellent. I think one of the best ones of 2011, but I really haven't seen that many. The casting was perfect, especially Rooney Mara. She was incredible and deserves a Best Actress nomination or something. This movie was extremely cool. All the clothes were very cool, the scenery was beautiful, the homes and interiors were cool- it was just a very cool movie. Wish I had a more eloquent way to describe it. It was extremely violent and graphic though, so don't see it if that sort of thing makes you queasy or uncomfortable. This $@#% cray.

This is probably my last entry of 2k11. I had such a lovely year and consider myself so lucky and blessed. Thanks for reading and commenting. It seriously brightens my day when people tell me how much they like/read my blog in person. I'm so flattered! Thanks again. Have a safe and happy new year!

paperback girl back before it was cool

 "She was pretty, definitely, but more important was the book she kept in her bag. A girl with a book is innately attractive; men understand that if she can tolerate the act of reading for the sake of pleasure, she'll likely put up with all manner of nonsense for the sake of a relationship. I was smitten-" Jack Cazir

I like to believe/hope this is true.

I keep a Moleskine in my purse that I write little notes in, but the main reason I have it is to write down book titles. I am forever reading about a book I want to read, or get a recommendation from someone and I always add it to my mental list of 'Books to Read' but there is something so satisfying about keeping a physical list of all of these titles and crossing them off when I complete them. Break is a perfect time to cross off items from this list. If I were to define my Christmas break in two words they would be: eat, read, because essentially, those are the majority of the events that encompass my days.

Here is my Christmas 2k11 reading list:
1) Superfreakonomics- Steven D. Levitt & Stephen J. Dubner
2) The Tipping Point- Malcolm Gladwell
3) True Prep- Leslie Birnbach
4) The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time- Mark Haddon
5) Blink- Malcolm Gladwell
6) Ham on Rye- Charles Bukowski

I read and loved Freakonomics this past summer, so Superfreakonomics has been on my list for awhile. It exceeded my expectations and was a great start for break. The Tipping Point has been my favorite Malcolm Gladwell book so far; I highly recommend it. True Prep is the updated version of  The Official Preppy Handbook. Not as good, but still entertaining. Also I was more familiar with the brands, stores, schools, etc. mentioned.

There's a quote out there that says something like, 'don't think you have a future with someone if your record/book collection wouldn't even speak to each other at a party' or something along those lines. There is a lot of truth to this I think. Good books, indie music and quick wit are the keys to my heart.

decorate the tree, hang mistletoe and stand by me

 Guys. It's Christmas Eve. The second happiest day of the year. Also longest night of the year. I'm so excited. And so thankful for the season. I had the opportunity to attend this year's First Presidency Christmas Devotional. This was my favorite part from President Uchtdorf:

We like the wisemen of old, should seek the Christ and lay before Him the most precious of gifts: a broken heart and a contrite spirit. We should offer Him our love. We should give Him our willingness to take upon ourselves His name and walk in the path of discipleship. We should promise to remember Him always, to emulate His example and to go about doing good... He doesn't expect us to move mountains, but He does require that we bring as gifts our best efforts to move ourselves, one foot in front of the other.

Nic and me before Church last Sunday. Blinkin. (PS the dress I'm wearing is my new favorite. I feel like a figure skater/ballerina in it. You can't tell in the pic, but there is an exposed zipper on the back. So fun and so twirly)

 Probably the only WIWT pic ever on this blog. This was taken pre-Christmas party, while I was instructing my sister on what I wanted her to capture in the pic, hence my odd/joyous expression. Everything is from H&M except the shoes. They are borrowed from my mother/Calvin Klein. One of the frivolous things I miss about home is my mom's shoe collection. She has the best selection of dress shoes that are sorely missed when I'm at school.

 Glam. Isn't Alyanna's dress awesome? I picked it out.

Yesterday was my mom's birthday. I had a great time just bonding with her all day. I miss her so much when I'm at school and realize just how much she does for me when I'm away from her. I love being home and hanging out with her and going to Costco/running errands. My mom is my ultimate role model in everything she does. She is a wonderful homemaker, great at her career, magnifies her calling and is a kind and loving mother. I am amazed by her all the time. I love you, happy birthday Mommy!

I hope everyone has a fantastic Christmas with the people they love. Also, make sure to fully exhaust the playing of Christmas music, especially Justin Bieber's Under the Mistletoe, because come Monday, no more xmas tunes til next December.

MERRY CHRISTMAS, HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

best of 2011: top 10 tracks + albums

I told you to expect a lot of entries. But I promise this one has substance. Yesterday I was asked to compile a list of my top 20 songs from 2011. I am obsessed with best of the year lists, especially music and fashion lists, so this was a lot of fun to do and surprisingly, I was able to do it much faster than I anticipated. Last year I did my top 10 fashion moments. This year I have decided to compile my top 10 tracks and album from 2011. So here they are according to me:

Top 10 Tracks

1. East Harlem- Beirut

2. Midnight City- M83

3. Holocene- Bon Iver

4. Strawberry Swing- Frank Ocean

5. Take Care- Drake + Rihanna

6. Jejune Stars- Bright Eyes

7. Look at Me Now- Chris Brown

8. Niggas in Paris- Kanye + Jay-Z

9. We Found Love- Rihanna

10. Birds Pt. 1- The Weeknd

Top 10 Albums

1. Bon Iver- Bon Iver

2. Hurry Up, We're Dreaming- M83

3. Thursday- The Weeknd

4. The Rip Tide- Beirut

5. 21- Adele

6. F.A.M.E.- Chris Brown

7. Nostalgia/Ultra- Frank Ocean

8. Take Care- Drake

9. Born This Way- Lady Gaga

10. The Year of Hibernation- Youth Lagoon

Synopsis: Bon Iver KILLED it this year. They're up for Grammys and stuff aren't they? But honestly, Bon Iver is nothing short of perfection. It's beautiful and I can listen to it nonstop. Also one of the best concerts I've ever attended. Justin Vernon is an angel performer. M83 is coming to SLC in April!!! Um, The Weeknd rules. I think both of their albums are still available for free download on their website. Do it now. Some of the sexiest stuff I've heard in a long time.

It was difficult narrowing down my list of top 20 tracks to 10, so here are some honorable mentions:

Real Hero- College + Electric Youth

Turning Tables- Adele

Somebody That I Used to Know- Gotye

All of the Lights- Ellie Goulding vs. Kanye West

District Sleeps Alone Tonight (Death Cab cover)- Birdy- This one very nearly made the list. I listen to it at least twice every day. It's hauntingly pretty and I like it better than the original, which is never the case with covers. Even very well-done covers. However, I felt that my top 10 needed to be original songs and not remixes/covers. Seriously get this song.

This was fun. I hope you enjoyed reading/listening as much as I enjoyed compiling/listening.

feel the love in the room from the floor to the ceiling

IT'S THE BEST TIME OF THE YEAR.

I finished my finals yesterday and that in itself was a Christmas miracle. Finals week was hellish. The last 3 days I slept a total of 10 hours. Not ok. And now I'm sick. BUT I'M HOME. And it's great. Every time I come home it feels like I never left. I love my family and I love Christmas time.

The above picture was taken at this year's Christmas devotional. Such a perfect start to the holiday season. And look how pretty my friends are. We are baby friends (Kate + Kaile, Maren + Ynna) and are certain that if we had all known each other when we were babies, we would have all been friends.

I spent Thanksgiving with Kylie's family. We ate, shopped and shot things.

This has been my favorite semester so far. Above is Preston. Below is Kev.
Expect a lot of blog entries because I will be doing ABSOLUTELY NOTHING for the next two weeks and it's going to be perfect.