Repeat Offender

Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.

- Albert Einstein

I never learn my lesson. No matter how many times I swear I'll never wait till the last minute to work on an assignment, I still find myself scrambling at the printer and sprinting to a professor's mailbox with minutes to spare. No matter how many times I go to the Cheesecake Factory intending to make it to dessert, I always find myself sick at the mere mention of more food by the time the waitress brings out the cheesecake menu. And let's not even get started on how this behavior factors into my relationships...

My latest repeat offense? Using Herbal Essences hair products. I swore off their shampoos and conditioners after an awful experience back in high school (I shed hair like nobody's business, but clumps of hair falling out is absolutely not normal). Even with this picture burned in my mind, I was reeled in by the cute packaging, yummy smell, and cheap price of their Tousle Me Softly shampoo and conditioner.  The first thing I noticed was that the scent was far stronger and more floral than I anticipated. Not necessarily bad, but definitely headache-inducing if I remember to put on perfume that day. And let's be real, Marc Jacobs Lola > Herbal Essences any day. 

After a few more washes, I've noticed that my hair is more dull, dry, and frizzy.  This could be partially due to the weather, but considering how healthy I'd gotten my hair to look after taking good care of it all summer, I'm not okay with this change. Also, my hair has definitely been falling out more than usual--especially in the shower. I'm used to having big, bouncy Texas hair. Thin and hanging against my scalp just isn't going to work for me.

I've given this shampoo/conditioner a fighting chance. I've kept using it hoping I'm just having a bad hair day, but now that it's evolved into a bad couple of weeks I think it's time I put my foot down. 

Herbal Essences does not work for me. They have a great marketing strategy, but I refuse to be a sucker for it again. I will stick with what I know for a fact works for me, and have happy hair forever and ever, amen.

Eye Candy

I haven't really had a celebrity crush since my middle school days, when my locker was plastered with photos of Shane West and John Mayer graced the cover of my binder. I'll readily admit when I think an actor or musician is particularly good-looking, but that giddy swoon factor has been missing until I re-discovered the beautiful manly perfection that is Ryan Gosling. 

Be still, my heart.

Photo via this wonderful tumblr blog. Check it out for drool-worthy pics and plenty of LOLs.

A Hole in My Pocket

I will never learn to save my money. Even if I try, the second I have a little extra cash I can hear it calling to me: "Spend me! It's okay!" Usually I burn cash on several small things--a latte here, an iTunes purchase there--and occasionally I find my debit card drained by one quick run to CVS for "just essentials".  For some reason I don't think twice about these things, but I agonize over big purchases even if I've been saving up for them. 

Case in point: these Steve Madden glitter pumps.

I've been obsessing over similar styles all year, but could never bring myself to fork over the money for a pair of heels that I'd rarely have a chance to wear. Even when I've set aside an allowance for them I talk myself out of the splurge, only to find myself spending almost that amount of money on crap I can't remember. Yet I can't get over the allure of possibility these shoes represent. Buying them would be a promise to myself to get dressed up more often, find excuses to go out and enjoy myself, and embrace the sparkly, fun side of my personality. Heck, they're even pretty enough to display in my room when I'm not wearing them. I've spent too much time staying in and waiting for things to come to me, it's about time I slip into some killer shoes and find it for myself. 

Also, these just went on sale for about half off...

What's a girl to do?

 

Color-Coordinated

I meant to go to sleep hours ago, but between all the thoughts racing through my mind and the fact that I'm starving...it just hasn't happened yet. Rather than toss and turn in the dark, I decided a little online browsing would be fun. And OMG did the JCrew website deliver the fun. The "Cold Weather Comforts" section is the perfect combination of warm and fuzziness + outstanding color coordination.

Also, can I just say yes, please to this teal snood and these perfectly simple black boots?

Now I'm inspired to re-organize my closet by color...I guess sleep will just have to wait.

21.

Every birthday, people ask "How does it feel to be a year older?" and it's always just a little disappointed to admit that it feels pretty much the same. I looked forward all year to my 15th birthday as the day I'd finally feel a change. Then my 16th birthday. Then 18th. And even though those years came with big milestones and changes to make them special, I never felt that difference I was hoping for. Until now.

Last week I turned 21 and I can honestly say it feels different to be a year older--amazing and fun and scary all at the same time. Maybe it has something to do with the look of awe on my students' faces when I tell them my age. Maybe it's the confidence in my voice. "I'm 21." Maybe (probably) it's being able to hand my I.D. over to a waitress and get it back with a tasty cocktail and a smile. The point is, I'm a year older and it feels great.

That kind of feeling is worth celebrating, so I did! As per usual, my birthday is carrying over long past November 1st--I've got plans for birthday dates and festivities all the way to December when I get home to spend time with my family and friends in Texas. Here are some of the highlights from my Providence birthday adventures. 

 

Made my birthday wish on a red velvet cupcake.

A pineapple mojito at a (late) lunch at The Cheesecake Factory.

 Delicious birthday cookies from Evan.

Perfect party balloons from my mom's birthday package.