Wednesday Wishlist: Books

     Hey, guys. Today, I'm starting a new segment called Wednesday Wishlist. Like everyone else, I have an extensive list of materialistic wants and desires, and the world of consumerism makes it harder everyday. On my cell phone, I have multiple notes labeled "College Wishlisht," "Fall Fashion Wishlist," "CVS Shopping List," and many more. Sometimes the "wants" can get overwheming, but this segment should help me straighten things out a little better. Who knows? Maybe some of the things on my lists can transfer over to yours... (sorry.)     As far as books are concerned, I have over 150 in my bedroom. What can I say? I'm a reader. But as I'm transitioning from high school to college, it's time to throw out my old fictional books about ghosts and obtain some books that's going to help shape my interests into potential careers.

1. "Seduced By Success: 8 Critical Thinking Errors That Cause Smart People To Do Dumb Things (Volume 1)" by Jeanette Mary Magdalene
2. "Style" by Lauren Conrad
3. "The Little Dictionary of Fashion" by Christian Dior
4. "Cupcakes and Cashmere: A Guide for Defining Your Style, Reinventing Your Space, and Entertaining with Ease" by Emily Schuman
5. "Bobbi Brown Makeup Manual: For Everyone from Beginner to Pro" by Bobbi Brown
6. "Photojournalism" by Arthur Rothstein
7. "Getting from College to Career: Your Essential Guide to Succeeding in the Real World" by Lindsey Pollack
8. "The Guns at Last Light: The War in Western Europe, 1944-1945 (The Liberation Trilogy)" by Rick Atkinson

     To be fair, who knows if somewhere down the line, I suddenly want to become a ghost hunter? But from what I've observed over the years, I've put down the mystery novels and picked up the mascara and camera. I just think it's time to say "Sayonara!" to the paramormal phenomena.

     Be sure to follow me on Instagram (@_blanchedubois), Twitter, Bloglovin, and Lookbook! 

Pretty Little Liars Season 4 Premiere!

     Last night was the fourth season premiere for one of my favorite shows, Pretty Little Liars, and I am so excited to have it back. I've practically been going through a PLL withdrawl for months, but the media has made it more managable by enabling my addiction with exclusive interviews, fashion reports, and season premiere teasers.
     As the short three quaters of an hour played on the television set last night, I was left on the edge of my seat feeling confused, concerned, and cautious--all typical Pretty Little Liars feelings. 
     I can't wait to see how this season continues. I'm ready for a new season of spying, backstabbing, and fashion inspiration. I'm so happy to have my four liars back! They look awesome in this promo.

Disclaimer: I do not own the above photo.

Reawakening

     Hey everyone,
     First off, I must say Wilkommen and Guten Tag! I know it's been a long time since I've posted, but with end-of-course tests, graduations, and getting settled into new jobs out of the way, I'm finally turning a new leaf. That's right. Senior year of high school is over and with it comes the next phase and the beginning of the rest of my life: college.
     These past few months have been a whirlwind of emotions: anxiety, frustration, fear, and discomfort yet love, warmth, hope, excitement, and anticipation. There are only a handful of weeks left for me to be in my hometown of Atlanta, and then I'll whisk away for what might be forever. I want nothing but to tread lightly, slow time, and savor every second of this summer. It's been so great. I have an outstanding, dream internship, and I've been able to hang out and spend time with friends and family almost every day. The most beautiful part about it is that every day, I've been touched and inspired.
     Like a newborn who has opened her eyes for the first time, I feel like I'm finally seeing the world. I've been blissful in meeting and networking with new people who could advance my career as a journalist, uncovering meaningful and inspirational material online, and discovering how great it feels to shed off baggage and feel like a new person.
     I never want to forget this feeling.
     Although I don't want to speed through this summer, I am ready to face it head on. My creative juices are flowing. Get ready for great reads.

R.I.P., Mercutio

     This morning, as I was snuggled in my warm bed and thinking about the dream I had just awoken from, I could not have known. I would never have guessed that as I was in the serenity of my blankets, Mercutio Aniken Black, my pet betta fish, was at the bottom of his bowl, anchored by death.
     I was reaching over to feed him. Surprise--but acceptance--came to me in an odd combination as I looked at him on top of the rocks. I knew that I had to flush him, but it took me nearly an hour to bring myself to do it. Mercutio has been a part of my life since I was a freshmen in high school, and I could not believe that it was all ending on this seemingly insignificant Wednesday morning.
     This unexpected event altered my morning routine. I had a change of plans for wardrobe; instead of the pink I was planning, I wore a black collared shirt. Instead of leaving the house around 7:30, I was pushed back to 7:45.
     I felt disgruntled, but as I was driving my moped to school this morning, I looked up at the sky and saw the arrangement of blues, purples, yellows, and oranges. It was comforting, and somehow I know that Mercutio is in a better place.

12/12/12 will forever be marked in history as the day I saw my all-time, favorite female artist perform live.

Marina and the Diamonds is too fabulous for words. From the little black heart under her left eye to her obsession with mocking teen girls to her deep, unexpected voice, she stole my heart in 2010 when I first saw her Teen-Vogue-suggested music video for her song, “Oh No!” I was confused to see that “Marina and the Diamonds” was one woman, but it all made sense when I found out that the “Diamonds” were her fans. The song’s vibrant video with a comic book theme made me feel girly, strong, and inspired. Since then, Marina Diamandis has been my favorite female artist.

No one can imagine the way my heart raced and soared out of my body when I was on Tumblr late one night and saw that she had a tour in America, and that Atlanta was one of her stops! I knew that I had to go. I was already bummed out because I missed the sale for the fun. concert, and there was no way that I was missing Marina.
I was thrilled when my friend agreed to accompany me to her concert. That night, I was exuberant because of the concert and because it was the magical day of 12/12/12. I could not believe I was having all of this fun on a Wednesday night. My friend and I stood with tons of other Diamonds in the pit of Center Stage, and I shined with my black sequined skirt, pink lip-gloss, black heart under my left eye, and high spirits. I should not have been shocked to see that so many other Diamonds had a matching black heart and flashy style sense.
Icona Pop was the opening act, and the strong, two-female group was definitely worth the wait. I recommend their songs “I Love It,” “Good for You,” and “Ready for the Weekend.” Their sound varies from Marina’s in that it has more of an electro-dubstep feel, but the girl power feel is still strong. Caroline Elizabeth Hjelt ripped as she deejayed and it was obvious that Aino Jawo really got into the music by the way she moved on stage. I imagined going clubbing with my girlfriends on a hot summer’s night in LA or NYC as green lights flashed and I joined the rest of crowd in shaking my hips or jumping up and down to “Ready for the Weekend.”
After Icona Pop, I joked around with others in the crowd. We laughed and talked about Marina. I was in the crowd—heart racing and awaiting Marina’s appearance—when finally, the volume went from seven to eleven as fans screamed with excitement. She walked on stage, and I was not prepared. She had her jet-black hair in a slick ponytail with a black tank midriff and knee length black skirt, and of course, she wore her badge under her left eye. I was in awe. She danced around the stage as she opened with one of my favorites, “Homewrekcer.” I sang along to the top of my lungs and bounced off of her fun energy, and I was happy to see that others in the crowd ecstatically received her as well. The pit was packed and the theatre style seats were full enough to create a hub of girly-pop energy.
Her performance gave me chills. I cried several times from happiness and sorrow. I felt genuine pain when Marina sang “Lies” and “Starring Role”, and I envisioned myself as a secure, successful woman in NYC as she performed “Oh No!” and “Primadonna Girl.”
She is so powerful and strong, and I can not help but to adore her. I listen to Marina whenever I can: doing homework, writing reviews, cleaning my room, and picking out my outfits in the morning.
I am proud to say that I have been a Marina fan since 2010x