ROADTRIP

I'm back in the AK - I missed this beautiful state!

Today was such a beautiful (albeit, rainy) day that Mom, Anne, and I decided to go antiquing in Wasilla. Wasilla is this ghetto, run-down city where all the hillbillies go for a good time - but it has its perks! It's home to some funny little antique shops and boutiques, which are very Alaskan but also super cute!

Because it was drizzly, I decided to wear my Hunter boots. Any day where you get to wear Hunters is a good day!

Don't ask me why my knees look so weird, because I can't tell you.

I was driving, and let me tell you, Wasilla is crazy! I was having heart attacks all over the place. Also, I almost flipped the car onto its side. Its the type of place where shops go out of business really fast, too, so Siri kept leading us to these creepy abandoned buildings, where only the ghosts of thrift stores past were left.

At one point we were driving to our next shop, and Siri said, "In 200 feet, arrived at Wasilla." We were super confused, but when I checked the address we had put in, it just said 'Wasilla, AK'. On the right was a 'Welcome to Wasilla' sign! Tears were streaming. It was SO funny, but looking back I guess you had to be there, because I'm not making it sound funny at all. :(

Anyway, my favorite shop was called Alaskan Picker, which gives you a little idea of what Wasilla is like. But it was full of adorable antiques for good prices!

Cute, huh? We bought some black licorice at a cute little cooking supply store:

Hand model creds: Anne. Also, I found some black booties for super cheap, which I'm sure I'll make good use of! I've wanted a pair for soooo long, but I never wanted to spend the money - HOORAY for thrift stores!!!

Annnnnnd a selfie:

It was a quaint, good day. What are your favorite day-trips??

Tess

Happy Round-Up

Each school year, I pick a new motto. Last year, my motto was, "I don't care about anything," but it didn't work very well because I actually did care about everything, so it was a disaster.

This year, my motto is slightly more realistic (for me, at least):

image credit

Yes, yes I did choose a Jane Austin quote for my motto. And I will not be ashamed.

My life is great. My home is beautiful. My family is so much fun!

And there's this:

So I should always be happy!

Here are some of my other favorite happy quotes:

"It's always summer somewhere." - Lily Pulitzer

"If you have good thoughts they will shine out of your face like sunbeams and you will always look lovely." - Roald Dahl

"I'm not in a party, I am a party! Everywhere I go is a party!" - Kid President

"We have to choose joy and keep choosing it." - Henri J.M. Nouwen

"If you retain nothing else, always remember the most important rule of beauty, which is: who cares?" 

"I'm so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers." - Anne of Green Gables

"Attitude is the difference between an ordeal and an adventure." - Bob Bitchen

"With freedom, books, flowers, and the moon, who could not be happy?" - Oscar wild

"Be so happy that when others look at you, they become happy too." - Unknown

Alrighty, folks. Who's gonna take the challenge? Starting now, let's all be happy - completely and perfectly and incandescently happy!

Tess

Curly Cut

A couple of months ago, I started wearing my hair natural: kinda curly, kinda wavy, very messy! I started doing my research and read about curly haircuts. The stylist cuts your hair dry, specifically to make it look better with its natural texture. So today, I finally tried it!

Here's my before:

I know, awful. I'm sorry you had to see that. I had just gotten out of the shower. Plus, I had no layers. Disaster!

And here's my after:

I think the best part of this was that my stylist explained how to style my hair on my own. And cutting hair dry is the way to go. She layered it so it has more texture and the curls actually stay. Now I can start experimenting!

Tess

Une Bonne Semaine

Bonjour! I've been going to French camp at BYU, and it has been one of the most terrifying and awesome experiences! I'm pretty much a French master now.. Anyway here's an update for the week:

I'm always changing my "style aesthetic", but now I think I found one I can stick with (for a while): classic~modern~refined. Sounds snooty, right?? I'm pretty proud. Basically, I just wear black, beige, and stripes. Or that's the goal, anyway. Today I actually wore red stripes, which was pretty out-there.

My family (minus my dad) is here with me in Utah, and it's been a blast! My sister Grace and I wanted to try Getout Games, real-life puzzles where you're trapped in a room and have to work your way out. OH MY GOSH IT WAS SO FUN.

We had to go to our storage unit for some {boring} reason, and while my mom rummaged through old clown dolls or whatever it is we keep in there, I took some swell photos. And I saw a guy with a man bun who apparently lived in his storage unit. That was a highlight.

I've also been thinking about my hair. I know, deep. But I've been trying to wear it natural (curly/wavy/creepy) for a couple of months, and I think it's time to not look like a mangy ball of yarn. So I'm getting a curly haircut! That's where they cut your hair dry, to make you look less like a dead bush. They're specially trained and everything! I'm going to Salt City Curl Co., and I'll give an update after!

What's been on your mind lately?

Tess

10 Lie-Awake Songs

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Some days, I just need to lie in my bed and listen to one song on repeat until 1 am. It's usually after I watch a really good 90's romance or cut up a whole watermelon to eat in one sitting. In other words, it's when I'm at the peak of happiness.

Anyway, that's the inspiration for this post! 10 songs that will fuel your most philosophical thoughts, late at night, under tons of blankets.

1. Love Someone by Jason Mraz



2. Re: Stacks by Bon Iver



3. Higher and Higher by Otis Redding



4. Sirens by Lola Marsh



5. The Ruined Map by CFCF



6. Chasing Pavements by Adele



7. Believe by Mumford and Sons



8. Falling Short by Lapsley



9. Liz On Top Of The World by Dario Marianelli



10. Manhattan by Blossom Dearie



Happy listening!

Tess