Video Sunday

"Jar of Hearts" by Christina Perri
This song is one of my new favorites. The video kind of creeps me out though. But I like it at the same time. Haha. I love songs that get back at loser heartbrokers! :)

I hope everyone's weekend is going great.

Today is going to be a complete family day for me. My 21 year old cousin, Andy, was recently diagnosed with testicular cancer. As some of you already know, I lost my 18 year old cousin, Matt, back in October due to suicide. So it's a really hard time for my family right now. I can't lose another cousin. One of my aunts flew in yesterday from Alabama to be here while my cousin begins chemotherapy, so we're all coming together today. We are hopeful that he will be okay. Testicular cancer runs in the family, but it was still a shocker for us because my cousin is very young. It just reminds me how important family is and that you need to cherish each other while you can.

Have a good Sunday!
Give everyone you love a hug today and tell them how important they are! :)

XOXO,

Courtney

Video Sunday

"Rolling in the Deep" from the album 21 by Adele
You've probably already heard this song, but if you haven't, it's a good one! :)
I hope everyone had a great weekend!

I will be announcing a giveaway tomorrow!! Visit again then to enter!!!

XOXO,

Courtney

Video Sunday

"Hello" by Martin Solveig and Dragonette
I love this song right now. It makes me want to get up and dance! Haha. My radio station plays it non-stop, so I'm hoping that doesn't make me sick of it after a while.

Thanks for the blog support! I hope everyone had a great weekend! I spent mine working, tonight included, but I get most of this coming week off to relax and blog! Yay! Haha. I think I could possibly be on my way to becoming a workaholic though. Especially now since I'm considering an additional job working in a child care center. Not sure if working so much is going to be a good thing or a bad thing.
I have a few things that will be happening next week (Vlog, My Day in Photos, some short videos, giveaway announcement...on top of my usual posts), so stay tuned! :)

XOXO,

Courtney

Video Sunday

Oh, what a stressful weekend! Which is why this post is a day behind (sorry!). Saturday, I had a final for my last class, Criminal Evidence. Yesterday, I worked all day and then came home and had four hours to write up a 3-5 page paper on the history and role of a jury in the United States court system, that had to be turned in online by midnight. But I finished everything! Even with my insane procrastination! And I'm pretty sure I got a 100% on my final! I would say that I will never push things that far again, but I will never be in that situation again (unless I decide to go back for more degrees) because I'm officially finished with school! Such a relief! Only thing is, I don't know what to do with myself now. For the first time in my life, I won't have to sit in a boring class trying to stay awake, I won't have to do homework or write papers, or deal with the stress of getting As. It feels really strange. I'm sure it's going to hit me pretty hard in a few weeks and especially during my graduation ceremony this June. It's a milestone I felt like I would never reach and accomplish. It felt like a decade. But I'm glad it's over...I think.

Yesterday was just not a very good day. Daylight savings completely messed up my sleeping cycle and I ended up not getting much sleep and was stressing like crazy all day. When I got home, I did a quick scan of my Blogger reading list before starting on my paper. I remembered that the winner of a giveaway I had entered would be announced. The giveaway was being held by the lovely Amber of Amber Blue Bird in celebration of her blog's 250 followers. I clicked on her blog, read through the post, and admired her pretty pictures, with not even a bit of hope in winning (I never win). I got to the bottom of post where she announced the winner, and kept scrolling, because I knew it wasn't going to be me. A couple seconds later, I stopped, scrolled back up, and realized that it had said I was the winner! Then I gave out a little scream and did a happy dance around the house announcing it to my family. Haha. It definitely brightened up my night. Thanks so much, Amber!


"Oh No!" off the album The Family Jewels by Marina and the Diamonds
 I recently discovered Marina and the Diamonds. The songs weren't really my cup of tea at first, but the more I've listened, I like them. I'm quite sure I'll be buying her album here real soon! :)

P.S. I would like to wish my little brother a happy birthday! He's 19 today! Have a great day, Stefan!

XOXO,

Courtney

Video Sunday + Blog Make Over

Whew. I can finally breathe a little! For the last 2-3 days, I have been working non-stop on this dang blog! For the first time in months, I didn't work over the weekend, so I decided to finally dedicate some time to fixing everything how I wanted it for once. I spent quite some time staring at html codes and the design page for my layout, but I'm satisfied, I think. The blog really needed some work! It's still basic and simple, but I like it. I only have a few things to fix up, but it's pretty much complete!
Over the course of changing everything, I made like a million headers, but ended up hating them all. Then the other night in pure frustration, I walked away from my computer and failed attempts, grabbed my camera, small tripod, and sat on the floor in front of the wall in my bedroom and spent an hour taking shot after shot, determined to produce something. I did get a lot of really good shots. I was fueled and focused. I was on a roll and I love when that happens! The only bad thing was I was so focused, I didn't realize that I was slowing murdering my right ring finger! I had put a vintage pearl cluster ring with an elastic band (that was my great grandma's) on my finger before I got into shooting mode. I wanted to wear it on that finger, but the elastic band was a little too big and stretched out from the many years of wear. So, I stretched it a little and wrapped it around my finger twice. I didn't notice how purple and swollen it was until I was finally done and editing the pictures. I'll have you know that in the current header, that finger was all sorts of blue and purple! Thanks to some editing software, it looks normal, besides for the fact that it looks a little fat around the ring. Haha.
So what I want to know now is...do you guys like it??

I also added a new page and some new features I'll be doing from now on. "Currents" (which I might change the name of, it sounds weird) is a list of everything I am currently reading, listening to, watching, obsessed with, and using (I'll probably add more). I know how some of you guys want me to share a little more of my personal life and I found this would be a good way to keep you all up to date with some of it. And that way if you have been wondering about what make up products I use or the things I can't live without, that should help, right? It's a work in progress. Definitely let me know if there's anything you'd like me to add!
"Obsessions" is a new feature I'll be doing similar to inspiration posts. I'll be sharing whatever I'm admiring, wanting, or liking. It'll be all over the place. I also plan on doing some tutorials, more vlogs, and more day to day life posts. I have so many ideas and I'm really excited to get going!

Ah!! With working till 4 am on the new blog layout, I haven't been able to share some exciting news!! I was accepted as a Teen Vogue Fashion Click Blogger!!! They had taken a break from accepting applications, so I kept checking back, then saw on Tuesday that they were allowing for you to submit your blog for review. I submitted an application right then and was instructed that I should receive a response of yes or no within a week or two. I logged into my email the next morning and a message popped up. I had been accepted!! I am so EXCITED!! Thanks again Teen Vogue and The Fashion Click Team!! I can't wait to get some outfit posts up! They are still accepting applications, so if you're interested, I suggest submitting your site at: http://fashion.teenvogue.com/apply.php

Alright, I think I caught you up on everything I wanted/needed to. SORRY for the LONG post!


"Misery" from the album Misery by Maroon 5
I know the "Misery" video came out a long time ago, but I still love this song and video! Adam Levine is so cute too! I love his voice. My 12 year old self used to listen to their first album, Songs About Jane, over and over and over again. Oh, and if you didn't know, that is actually his real life girlfriend, Victoria's Secret model, Anne Vyalitsyna in the video with him. Speaking of which, I guess I'll share Maroon 5's latest video "Never Gonna Leave This Bed," which also features Anne...


 "Never Gonna Leave This Bed" off the album Misery by Maroon 5
Dang, I love this song so much too!! Haha. She's so lucky. He seems like an amazing boyfriend. He's so into her. I'm jealous! =D

I'm off for the night. Bye ladies!

XOXO,

Courtney

Video Sunday

I know, I know. I haven't done an outfit post in over a week. I haven't been feeling very well lately. I meant to have one up today, but I woke up with a nasty sore throat and stuffy nose. And it's beautiful and sunny outside! It's killing me laying in bed looking out the window. I wish I could be out there snapping shots! It's suppose to get rainy in a few days too...I hate Washington weather! :(
I do have some pictures I took a little while ago that I just need to edit, so there should be an outfit post tomorrow!

Enough about being sick. I want to say thank you to my followers and my new ones! It makes me so happy when I log on and see that another one of you has subscribed! :)

I know this is old news, but I'm still excited to talk about it. Have you guys heard that H&M announced a few weeks back that they will be making it possible for online shopping in the U.S.!?!?!! They believe it will be available by the end of this year. This is a dream come true! I love H&M, but the closest one to my hometown is about two hours away. I sadly usually only make it out there a few times a year. So I am quite excited! My bank account, however, is not. Lol. I know I'll be spending way too much money. I better try to get my shopping addiction under control now! :D

Here's my video for today. I love this song! It always plays on a mix cd (along with Miley Cyrus's Who Owns My Heart, which is always in my head) at my work and I have to keep myself from humming it around the store and weirding out the customers! Haha. I hope you enjoy it too!


Shark in the Water by V.V Brown
Oh, and speaking of music, Florence and the Machine is working on a new album!!! I can not wait! I heard she is going to be collaborating with Drake on one track. That will definitely be interesting.

Sorry for the random blabbering! Have a great Sunday everyone! :)

XOXO,

Courtney

Video Sunday + Inspiration

Only Girl (In The World) by Rihanna

Not only do I like this song, I'm INFATUATED with this video! The setting + Rihanna's outfit choices + the pink film filter = beautiful music video. I wanna jump in there with her! The video definitely sparks some inspiration and creative ideas in my head. I remember I was up late (as usual) cleaning my bedroom (I like to clean in the middle of the night...weird, I know!) and this video premiered on MTV. I just sat there with my mouth agape staring at the screen. I seriously love this video!

XOXO,

Courtney

Video Sunday

Calming the Baby Beast uploaded by TheKaylakilljoy. Song: Dog Days Are Over.

First Video Sunday! This is for all the Florence + the Machine lovers out there! I can't remember how I stumbled onto this video, but I'm glad I did. It always makes me laugh. This little boy is so precious and he sure likes Florence! But don't we all!?!

Well, I got to get to work. Have a good Sunday evening everyone.

XOXO,

Courtney

Announcement, Announcement Everyone!

So I just wanted to let everyone know that we are five, repeat FIVE new followers away from a giveaway!! Yay!!

That's all I got for now, sorry guys. I've been busy with the whole back to school thing. You know how it is. I'll get better about blogging more, I promise! Outfit post soon!

New Florence + the Machine and Taylor Swift music videos! Woo!
I can't get enough of them! I've watched them way too much!


Heavy in Your Arms by Florence and the Machine, off the album, Lungs.


Mine by Taylor Swift, off the upcoming album, Speak Now.
Taylor's video melts my heart. It makes me wanna run out and fall in love! Lol.
Well, I'm off to bed. Have a great Tuesday! :)

XOXO,

Courtney

So Sorry!

Ahh! I feel like it's been so long since I last posted something. I'm sorry, guys! :(
I also can't believe it's September already!! Time goes far too fast, especially when you don't want it to.
As I said in my last post, I had some surgery done on Tuesday and have been pretty miserable lately. I had a cystoscopy and a shockwave lithotripsy for my kidney stones. It has been a worst experience than I expected. I wish I would of went with my gut and canceled the cystoscopy. It turns out it wasn't even necessary on top of it! I've not been enjoying the recovery, and the side-effects of the procedures hasn't been pretty either. Because I can barely walk around the house without my kidney beginning to hurt, I haven't really had the opportunity to go outside, enjoy the sunshine, and take outfit photos. Nor have I even wore an outfit that I approve of to photograph. Old baggy shirts and sweats? Errr, no. Haha.

So I promise as soon as I'm better, outfit photos are on my "to do" list.

In my time of bed rest, I have been catching up on The City, my reading, and watching movies here and there. Anyone seen Jane Austen's Northanger Abbey? PBS's 2007 version? My mom and I are suckers for Austen movies. Oh, and I can't forget, sipping on my favorite berry smoothie. Seriously, I think they are the best creation since french fries, hah (if you guys knew my diet, you'd know that's saying something!). I recommend you try them! =D

On another note...

I'm currently obsessed with Ellie Goulding. Someone on Chictopia told me a little while ago that I sort of reminded them of her, so I googled her and listened to some of her songs. Her first album, Lights, just came out in England. Too bad you can't get her album in the U.S. without paying double the price.

I'm gonna share...




For more of her music, visit her Youtube.
P.S. For all you thrifters: if you didn't know, all U.S. Value Village stores are suppose to have a Labor Day sale on Monday. 50% off almost everything! I'm definitely going, whether I feel 100% better or not! Lol.

XOXO,

Courtney