Paris, My Love.

"America is my country, but Paris is my hometown."

I have always had this weird, evangelical connection to Paris.

After much thought, I feel like my first exposure to Paris was through Disney's The Aristocats, as well as Rugrats in Paris. I also saw An American in Paris at the young age of 10 on my personal DVD player. I've always had this obsession with France. Growing up wanting to be a fashion designer, I was acutely aware that I would either be living in New York or Paris to fulfill my job. I went on to see films like Marie Antoinette, Amelie, and Ratatouille that furthered this dream of being in this place. Even Mary Kate and Ashley's  provided me with many fantasies of experiencing in Paris. I mean, who wouldn't want to become BFF's with a famous model and find cute, french flower delivering boyfriends? The thing about Paris is that it is so overwhelmingly the right color. I've seen pictures with the pastels and the worn gold paints of buildings older than my own country. I see Paris as the most inspirational city.

Found on garethrussellpopular.blogspot.com

What really inspired me to write this today was that I caught the last 45 minutes of Midnight in Paris, which I've wanted to see forever. As Owen Wilson wanders around the glorious city, the only thing I can think about is going to these same places and taking pictures or water coloring a subject, and buying macarons. At the same time wearing a similar ensemble Audrey Hepburn wears in Funny Face.

Found on untappedcities.com

Is it practical for my real dream in life to wander an old city, caring my camera and some pastel balloons? Who cares. I guess I can blame magazine cover stories and perfume ads by french designers for that fantasy.

Found on hangitontheline.blogspot.com

 I feel I would find the ultimate joy in sitting in a local out door cafe, eating pastries, as a people watch and sketch in a sketchbook. Paris seems to be the place where everything is beautiful and being alone to discover this beautiful world is accepted.

Found on baristamagazine.com

I took french for three years in High School. I was terrible and I barely passed French 3, but I still have dying respect for the language I will one day be fluent. I believe their is the guaranteed rule of thumb that every word looks or sounds beautiful in French. France is so naturally beautiful and graceful, it's just driving me out of my own country. 

 

I know that one day I am destined to visit this beautiful place. I will walk the streets and hear the water and soak up the fact that many before me came to Paris looking for the same feelings. Maybe my thoughts and ideas about Paris are wrong and unoriginal, but they are mine and I must hold on to them. One day Paris will be my home.

In the mean time, I shall thrive off of French books and films to keep my sanity. These are some a reccomend:

Movies:

Marie Antoinette (2006)

Ratatouille (2009)

Paris, je'taime (2006)

Midnight in Paris (2011)

Amelie (2001)

The Valet (2006)

My Best Friend (2010)

Les Miserables (2012)

Coco Before Chanel (2009)

Books:

Unfortunately, I have read a very limited amount of books set in Paris, and trust me, I 'm working on fixing that. I only have one book.

Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins. 

Just do yourself a favor and read this book. As well as everything Stephanie Perkins writes. She is amazing. I'll probably re-read it soon, it's an absolutely amazing book and I could not recommend it enough.

Until next time

Lillie

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Pre- First Fashion Show

So for the first time in 16 years, I will be going to a fashion show. Not just some hodunk local-yokal show that is being produced. I'm talking a FASHION SHOW as in NEW YORK FASHION SHOW as in NEW YORK FASHION WEEK.

Sometimes I just step back to look at my life and all I can think is, "WHAT IS MY LIFE."

So yes, I will be leaving tomorrow to the city for a show that is on Sunday. The designer is Malan Breton who was actually on Project Runway season 3. He is absolutely fantastic and luckily for me, I am very close to someone that knows him. Things just sort of fell into place as he sent out invitations and our names where put on a list.

I always visioned myself going to fashion week when I was in my fabulous 20's, rocking out something high end and chic as hell. I would smize through my huge sunglasses as a fashion street blogger caught me in a rush to a cab. My dreams that are really expectations I make for myself are fairly high.

Either way, I am unspeakably excited. There will be pictures and probably a during ad after reaction of the show. ALSO, I get to meet Malan back stage after the show on Sunday. Again, WHAT IS MY LIFE.

I just made a new banner. I sort of love it. The dalak was a nice touch.

Lillie

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What I Look Forward To This Year

Instead of saying all the things I want to resolve to do, I'll just tell you what I am excited for in 2013 and what my plans are for the year.

• Artpop (Gaga keeps me fine, fresh, and fierce)
• Return of Doctor Who (The christmas special is such a tease)
• Return of Sherlock? (Damn it Moffat)
• Being done with APUSH (Praying that I don't fail)
• Finishing the Yearbook!
• Track meets
• Maureen Johnsons new book (even though I haven't finished the first one)((Whatever, i'm getting a signed copy))
• Applying to Colleges (Well that just dawned on me) 
• Creating art
• The Great Gatsby
• Monsters University
• Doctor Who 50th Anniversary (MOFFAT)
• College Visits
• More Youtube videos from my faves
• Catching Fire
• The Carrie Diaries (guilty obsession: Sex and the City)

I don't really make many resolutions, in the past I've done stuff like "Loose weight" ect.They were things I wanted but not really things I was achieving. Most if any resolutions I make, i forget a week later.  Overall, I want to improve myself. A new year is a way to start fresh. so this year I have decided to keep a "Why my day was awesome." Inspired by Kayle Hyde/fiveawesomegirls. I want to be a more positive person and have a better outlook on life, so finding the good in everyday is a great way to be more positive but also remember the best things out of my year. More manageable then a diary.
I also feel Like I've mentioned this before but I really want to do a project on Youtube. I want to document my senior year in High School through weekly video blogs. Because I now have a nice camera (bless my parents for getting me the Canon t3i) I can make quality videos. It would start the day the class of 2013 graduates. And at the end of it, my goal is to be able to go to Vidcon in 2014. Maybe as sort of a graduation present. I want to be apart of this community that I have observed and yearned for for 5 or 6 years. I want to be able to connect to people. I've already done a bit of that through Tumblr. Look forward to that the first week of June.
Today is the first day of 2013. And I am excited.

Lillie
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Catchup Christmas BEDIDTC

I actually REALLY like combining days. Makes the posts longer and more interesting.

This is a catch up from this week. Though doing this defeats the purpose of Blog Everyday In December Till Christmas. But I'm a rebel.

What was the best book you read?

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

 

Just. Go. Read. It.

I can not talk about this book enough.

What were your favorite songs?

• You Need Me, I Don’t Need You by: Ed Sheeran
• Little Lion Man by: Mumford and Sons
• We Are Young by: Fun
• Breaking Down by: Florence & the Machine
• Down River by: Temper Trap
• Title and Registration by: Death Cab for Cutie
• Skinny Love by: Bon Ivor

I really love these songs. I tired to embed the songs from Youtube but that didn't work so well. You can look them up. I highly recommend them all. 

When did you celebrate?

Finding The Name of The Stars @ the Green Valley Book Fair for $5.

What astonished you?

How fabulous I am. I sort of discovered that this year. It was like, "I'm Lillie and I'm a fantastic bad ass."

Where did you spend your money?

Halloween Costume (The Doctor... Hopefully I'll have a breakdown post soon)

Metro Cards (probably 4 or 5, because I lose at least one)

Books ( Not as much as usual. A bunch on my Kindle I haven't come close to reading)

Yearbook Fundraising Chocolate ( I sold the most boxes)

Watercolor paint

Makeup (elf, mostly. And revlon lip butters)

What was your favorite blog post...that you read or wrote?

I have a bunch of favorite blogs, not really a favorite post. I love

Cupcake's Clothes

KayleyHyde

The Hayleylujah Chorus 

Young House Love

Lillie

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Delicious food and visiting places!

Didn't realize I forgot to post yesterday. I've been stressed out by school.

What was the most delicious meal you ate?
I love food. Like, I seriously love food. From cake to alternative veggie meat to hummus to fajitas. And the most delicious meal I ate this year cost me $3.00. It was when I went to New York in March for New Balance Nationals because we had some boys throwing. My friend (who is also a thrower) and I were starving (at least I was) so we went out into the cold ass Manhattan air to see what was around. Before we came into the track facility, we knew street venders were along the street selling their magnificent delicatessens. As we crossed the street, my eyes were on the falafel stand. Months later, I was still talking about this falafel. And I kid you not, it was the best falafel I had in my life. Best spent 3 dollars, ever. 

After my glorious moment with this falafel, my love for the fried chickepea based balls only grew. Though I've had good falafel and better falafel then this. It was certainly my best meal of 2012.

Honorable Mentions:  

• Crumbs Cake Shop Birthday Cupcake (it was like a religious experience)
• Pommes Frites (Belgian French Fries, dipping sauces, what more could a girl ask for?)
• Homemade Falafel in Astoria ( I dropped by tazikki sauce right when I opened the door to our place. It was some pretty bangin' falafel though)
• Waffels n Dinges (Belgians really have there shit together)

Talking about delicious and wonderful experiances makes an excellent segway into the next prompt:

Where did you visit this year? 
 It seems that most of my amazing food related experiances happened to take place in my favorite city: New York.

Somehow, I managed to go 3 times this year. 1st was an exciting opportunity, the 2nd was planned, and the 3rd (for the most part) was a surprise. The 1st was back in March to watch my teammates at the New Balance Nationals. We were there for probably 2 days and it was certainly interesting. I had the best Falafel, my first (huge) slice of New York Cheesecake (Carnegie's), went to the Nike store, and managed to get to the Bronx's 216th not the Manhattan 216th. This was really one of the first times when I was able to walk around the city and sort of know where I was and where I was going. It was a short lived weekend but being in the city after so long felt wonderful. 

The 2nd time was when I went on the Fine Arts Spring Trip with my school. If I were to sit down and write everything about that trip, this post would never end and my homework would never be completed. One long, amazing trip but into a few words. We did some amazing things, as it was a fine arts trip, New York is not short on fine arts. Fell in love with the Metropolitan Museum of History, ate a Belgian waffle with vanilla bean ice cream and chocolate, was underwhelmed by the Ghuginhiem yet had an amazing adventure in it's basement. Made friends, became better friends, became best friends with people. Listened to my crazy English teacher say anything and went to my first Baseball game (Yankees vs. Minnesota). Listen to a homeless man yell obscenities at our group while we walked in his rain puddle. Took my group to a restaurant they loved and made the best out of the restaurants we were forced to go to. Drank Snapple like there was no tomorrow, got a picture with Al Roker, and hide the bible in the microwave. It's like it was everything a High School trip should have been minus the romantic story line. But I feel in love with the city and I realized that I feel in love with the feeling of being with people.

I should have saved that one for last but tis not my last experience in New York for this year. My 3rd and final excursion was to celebrate my 16th birthday. This did not include staying in a hotel in Manhattan or buying outrageous things or shopping on 5th avenue with the wealth. It included staying in Astoria, in a basement house. We were a block away from the main street where we ate on many occasions. I was surprised at my arrival to discover a cupcake on my bed (couch) from our host. We rode the Subway in both mornings to Manhattan. I felt like such a New Yorker (ha ha). On the first day, we bought these New York passes which got you into a bunch of different things for free. If the expression Balls to the Wall ever applied, it applied to that day. My ass was dragging that night. I could barely walk. But, I spent time in the Met, MOMA, Madam Tussaud Wax Museum, NBC studio tour (actually that next day), and ended my night on the Empire State Building. We crammed in New York like there was no tomorrow. The next day was more as I visited the Fashion Institute of Technology's free museum and exhibit. Ate at Pomme Frites (another religious experience) and did a bit of thrift shopping. That day was certainly more chill. And when we went back to Astoria we went out and found Homemade Falafel. Little whole in the wall (my favorite) restaurant run by a very friendly family. So we got home, I ate my falafel, and watched the news. It was marvelous. My parents rock. 

What I loved more than anything that my parents understood I would rather have an experiance than a gift. These memories are more than a party or a 16th birthay gift could have ever given me. And I am thankful for that. 

Lillie
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Times Falafel is used in the blog: 11

When were you most greatful?

As I was inspired by my sister, who was inspired but someone else, I will be doing a sort of Blog Every Day in December/Reflect On Your 2012. If you're interested here is la link. I thought this would be a nice reflect on your past year and document it sort of thing.

When were you most greatful?

When would be a difficult thing to describe as I can easily describe a feeling but not a when and where it happened. There were plenty of opportunities in which I was very greatful. I was greatful when my APUSH teacher didn't check the homework I didn't do or when my mom had dinner ready after a very tiresome practice. The feeling that sticks out the most most to me was how greatful I felt after working out these past few months. I was greatful for the work I did for myself, but I was also greatful for my Dad who is also my coach. He pushed me and made me work hard then I ever knew I could. The time I have spent working out out and loosing my weight has given me confidence, developed my leadership skills, a work ethic, and has just made me a happier person. I'm beyond greatful that I had (have) someone to be there with me. I'm also extremely blessed with the people I had who encouraged me through this. My family has been amazing, doing what they could do to make me better. My sister served as inspiration me through her weight loss about a year ago, but she also served as my motivation because I want to go beyond the things she's done. My grandparents for being the side of the family who was never short of compliments.

I love Christmas time and I can not wait till Christmas break! I will be posting everyday. I also really want to write more talky blogs coming soon.
HERPY HERLERDERS
Lillie
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Change Pace

Bonjour my truly neglected blog. It's been about a month or two since I've update, and looking back at my past posts, the quality is lacking. So from today, it shall change.

 Weigh loss:
I don't think I've lost anything in a few weeks. My eating habits have gotten crazy and having Thanksgiving as a crutch did not help. Today was the last day. Starting tomorrow, my calorie cut and rice and beans are back. I will make time for my healthy food and not under then over eating be a problem. On the plus side of my weight loss, clothes look and fit better. Because I lift and work out, I've gotten so much stronger which is lovely. I'm going to use my ass kicking track practice to my advantage to really go hard on the dropping of fat. My goal of 180 by February still stands. I have to loose 30 some pounds. If I don't get to this goal, it won't be a big deal but if I will be in the low 190's, I'll be happy at that time. I'll celebrate by buying some new clothes then go on to my next goal. Now that I think about it, I want to be 150 or 160 by the end of this summer. Depending on the kind of muscle mass I build, but I want all this excess fat OFF. I can do it and I will.

 Fashion:
I took a trip earlier this month to my dream college where I would want to study fashion design. Going to the school and hearing the people talk about it, made everything seem possible. All of the students who graduate and move to New York or LA have a job. If not before they graduate, they get one within six months. Also, this schools colors are black and gold. Which are Hufflepuff colors. It's just went to be, right?

This post marks a change of pace. Thanksgiving is over and my eyes are back on my goal. Calorie cuts and hard work is how it is going to be the next few months. Think of this as an introduction to a new blog, a new me. This time, I'm focused for the kill.

Welcome, and enjoy the ride.

 Lillie
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