To The Person Who Named Me 'Bug'

Some Reasons Why My Dad Rocks Like Crazy

He's given me many nicknames, including (Sylvie)Bug (the reason for my blog URL), Monkeys, Boo & many more

He breaks out into West Side Story moves outside diners

He does a spot on Tim Gunn impersonation

He taught me how to model...

and how to runway!

He makes some kick ass snowmans (and then let's my friend from next door take credit)

He gets really excited when opening gifts

He never says 'no' to a jumping picture...

and he experiments with new jumping poses.

He still sits on Santa's lap

He taught my bird how to fly

And I still love him as much as I did when I was four years old.

...and let's not forget all of our wonderful grandfathers...

Above: my beatboxing cousin, my fantastic granddad, and half of my uncle

Below: My adorable, amazing, I-just-want-to-see-him-everyday Opa

A Very Merry Father's Day to all!

P.S a post will follow tomorrow with the past couple of days, including quite a few super fun shopping trips and some fab lunches.

Norma Says I'm Looking Jazzy

Yesterday was a pretty sweet day, something you would think would be impossible amidst all the final taking.

Sweater: The Stylish Wanderer, Tights: Forever 21, Necklace: Birthday gift from Lily, Belt: Borrowed from my mom's collection, Shoes: Thrifted, Glasses: Stolen from my daddy

Chem, German, math, oh my!

Balancing act...slightly failed! I'm working on it though...

With it being yearbook time and all, I've decided to bestow some Superlatives to some pretty special bloggers. I'm just working on some icons, so stay tuned for the results!

Spring Awakening. :) As usual.

Praying to the Chemistry Gods! (Although I must say, based on today's test, I'm not sure if they heard me...)

Some of my friends say I have two different colored eyes. A couple of them often check in science to make sure they haven't gone back to being the same color.

Before 'As You Like It' rehearsal, I went into the town's Chase Bank to get my pin number activated. My mom and I were sent to a woman named Norma who said "Why, hello there. You're looking jazzy today!" She then asked where I had gotten the sweater. I told her it was from a fabulous girl named 'The Stylish Wanderer.' And she said "HA! No wonder you look so stylish! I thought you were coming in for a job interview." Which I thought was rather nice. And as I told the Stylish Wanderer, now even Chase bankers named Norma know who she is! If you're eyeing any item from Shop The Stylish Wanderer's Closet, I would recommend buying it when she reopens in August! The package I got was so sweet, and I am IN LOVE with my purchase. Thanks Stylish Wanderer!

Only one more final to go...math. Ugh. But after that, I AM DONE! Four of my best friends and I are going to walk into town, grab some lunch, and see 'Up.' I'm uber excited! Also, coming up will be pictures from my thrifting adventures with Annie, Emmy, and Emily from today.

Talk to you very soon!

Sylvia

Random Musings & Otherwise

What I’d like to be watching

I’ve been listening to the Spring Awakening soundtrack non stop for the past couple of weeks. Almost this time last year I was seeing it for my first time. It was...well, words just do not describe! My favorite songs are All That’s Known, Touch Me, and Blue Wind/Don’t Do Sadness. But they’re all fabulous. Bitch of Living has an incredibly amount of energy (and is the scene shown above in the photo.) Why oh why did you have to close, Spring Awakening? Although luckily, I was fortunate enough to see it twice.

First in July with Lily….

And then for the second time in December for Sarah’s 16th birthday. That was when we got lots of people in the cast to sign our program including the lovely Hunter Parrish (!)

He was a sweetheart.

Did anyone else get a chance to see it?

Where I’d like to be

The picture by Éole says it all.

What I’d like to be doing

Ah, yes. My dream to jump off a rope swing into a beautiful lake. The not yet realized but one of my most perfect, everlasting images of summer.

Photo courtesy of Stas Milksonov.

Who I’d like to be...even if just for a day

The beautiful city, the fabulous umbrella, the rainy weather...and then of course her chic self. I would not mind to be in her shoes right now.

Photo courtesy Bob Flounders.

Who I’d like to spend a week with

He is amazing.

What I’d like to be eating

One of Eileen Blake's delicious pies. I miss her.

And now, enough with the otherwise and onto a couple of random musings...

I wonder how it would feel to run up a tree like a squirrel. I mean of course Sarah did it in the picture above...so I must ask her how it felt. Must feel...free. Or at least very very cool. I suppose squirrels are just used to it though.

Why is your identity completely concealed when you throw on a mask?

Like, superheros, Cinderella…I mean, just because part of your forehead and nose is covered, no one knows who you are?

I want to attend a masquerade and see how well my identity being totally concealed works out…I would really love if it did, actually.

Ooh, wouldn’t it be so much fun if the blogger world all met together for a masquerade? That would be the most fantastic event that ever existed.

Well, on that note, I must go do homework (only five more days left)!

Hope everyone is enjoying their week,
Sylvia

And The Award Goes To...

So, finally, I have time! I recieved a phenomenal tag from Annie a bit ago and since then, I've been telling myself I would get to it as soon as I possibly could. And, P.S Annie, I took the pictures in front of a brick wall because I know it's your favorite :) And without further ado, let the ceremony begin!

The Day to Night Award

I bought this Frenchi dress at a Nordstorm in New York. I was shopping with my friend and passed it, immediately falling in love with the color and cutouts at the top. It was the only one and I was discouraged when I saw it only came in a size smaller than I would usually get. However, I tried it on anyway, and a couple of years later, I’m still in love with it! I imagine the look on the left functioning as a work outfit in the city and then unwinding with some friends with the look on the right.

Die Liebe von meinem Leben Award

DIRNDL! Possibly my most craved piece of item pre-purchase. I was visiting my Oma and Opa in Garmisch-Partenkirchen with my parents this April break and you would be surprised to see just how many women still wear dirndls. I’m not claiming that all over Germany the stereotypical impression of clothing is correct, but in the Alps, it was very common—especially in stores and restaurants. On Easter Sunday, the whole city was decked out in their finest dirndls and lederhosen. It would have looked out of place not to be wearing the attire! I tried to think rationally: would I ever wear it when I returned home? Yes! I thought. Am I being crazy? Yes! I thought. But my mom, dad, and I headed out to the wonderful shop down the street, and I can confidently say that dirndl shopping is my favorite thing ever. The woman explained in German that “Women who are taken tie their bow on the right and women who are not tie it on the left…but then on Oktoberfest, everybody ties it on the left!” I bought the one my mom and I had first fallen in love with in the window display, and my Opa and Oma were so pleased that I decided to keep it on for the rest of the day. I must say, I felt fabulous…although, I made my parents talk in German whenever we were in the presence of other people so it seemed like I was just your average German and not some American tourist who had been swept away in the old trend (which I suppose, frankly, I was.) But still, I must ask, why oh why can’t we wear dirndls everyday? Because it is, truly as the award says, 'the love of my life.'

The Ferocious Foreigner Award

I bought this on the same trip to Germany when I went out shopping in Garmisch. I’ve been feeling a bit of love towards the animal prints lately, so I was very pleased to find this skirt!

The Necessity Award

Probably one of my best Forever 21 finds, this dress matches with all different types of cardigans and tights. I love the way it falls, and I always feel so comfortable and nice in it. I’ve worn it to dances, trips into the city, and on holidays, and it never disappoints.

The Traveler's Companion Award

About three years ago when my friend Becky took me to South Carolina to visit her relatives, I wore this on the plane. I decided that a week later on our return flight, I would wear it again. Ever since then, I wear this dress on any airplane trip or travel venture within another place I make.

The Feel Good 40s Award

I love the polka dot print and sleeves on this one! I’ve worn it on Thanksgiving and when I went to see Equus (!) with Annie and Jess, and I love its comfortableness (hey, did not know that this was a real word!) and 40s esque vibe.

The Blessed Hand Me Down Award

Before my oldest best friend moved away to Memphis, her mom asked if I wanted this skirt. She is a notorious shopper, so it wasn’t uncommon for her to return or give away things she realized she didn’t want. At first I wasn’t sure if I would want it, but now I’m really glad I took it. I can wear it different ways and it has cropped up in a couple of photoshoots.

The 50s Thrifty Award

I was trying on a dress at the thrift store when I heard Annie say, “Wait, Sylvia…I love this.” I pulled aside the curtain and saw Annie hugging a Granny beach themed sweater. It was truly adorable. A moment later, Annie had found another one. She only had money for one and because I decided this one could not be left behind, I bought it! We’ve traded them once or twice, and I absolutely LOVE this sweater!

The Best “Borrowed” Award

Can you still say it was borrowed when the person doesn't know you took it? This lovely skirt is not technically mine though it has been in my closet for a year or two. Becky and I were raiding closets at her house and found this skirt in her sister’s. We went on to have a photoshoot, and I really never took it off. Fortunately for me, a) Becky is kind and b) her sister likely never noticed! **Honorable Mention to the two sweaters I have on in these pictures. What could I do without you blue and yello cardigans? Note, the blue is also from Becky's closet. THANKS BEX!**

The Dynamite Deal Award

Okay, ready for this? Originally this was $139, then to 99….then….I got it for…………$6.88! Yes that is, 6 dollars and 88 cents. I think that is the best bargain I will ever see in my life. And besides the amazing deal, my mom said it reminded her of West London in the 60s and hearing what kind of city, time period, and vibe people associate when looking at things always makes me very happy, so all in all, I just needed to buy it.

The Greatest Gift Award

Another purchase made in Germany when I went last summer. I hadn’t really brought any good walking shoes, so my uncle and aunt remedied it with this amazing pair of shoes! I think this is a lesson to all to be slightly unprepared when traveling so you can later fill in the gaps with beautiful little buys.

Well, I had an enormous amount of fun! I tag:

Mary

Merily

Frances

Gregory

Paola

&&

Sarah

Have a lovely weekend!

Sylvia