Life with Madi: August 2011

Archive for August 2011

hummingbird and how cooper got her groove back.

Tuesday, August 30, 2011 § 0

Remember that sweet little hummingbird I mentioned in this post? Well, before I left for CSU, I snapped some shots of her peeking her little head out of her nest on my camera.

Isn't she magnificent?

I don't think she's in the tree in front of our house anymore. When I left for college, her nest was dry and empty and she was nowhere to be found. Maybe she moved on to greener...er...trees? And is this some sort of extended metaphor someone up top is trying to give me?

Part 2 of this post; or, the part where I detail the events leading up to me slowly regaining my sense of style back after a week of fashion flops...

Ok, so they haven't been entire flops, but with the stress of being in an entirely new city all alone and having to transition from a blissful summer to days packed with unfamiliar classes, faces, and professors, fashion has gone on the back burner. I've been wearing rolled up jeans with flats and v necks, and things tucked in to other things hastily and hair pinned back in quick ballerina buns... It's been all right, and just all right. So finally, I made a promise to myself that I would put in a little more effort.

And after seeing this picture on Tumblr:

...I set out to recreate it, my way. And here's the result:

Cardigan: American Eagle; Blouse: Forever 21; shorts: Delia's; belt: JC Penney

My apologies for the absolute dewiness of the picture; in my defense, it was taken at 10:00 in the morning and I hadn't yet applied my makeup for the day.

But that's the outfit! I was awfully proud of it. It gave me hope that maybe; just maybe I'm getting a little bit better at balancing this whole college/fashion scale.

Until tomorrow,

Cooper

how could i have forgotten about this band?

Sunday, August 28, 2011 § 0

Ah, how this brings back memories of my misunderstood middle school years. The Bravery!!! Pandora reminded me today just how much I love them.

And can you believe this music video? The part with all the smashing lightbulbs is my fave :)

The weekend.

Saturday, August 27, 2011 § 0

It's a fine question, Violet Crawley. I can hardly tell.

Usually weekends are filled with joy and outings and lunch dates and movies and all those sorts of things. However, this weekend is filled with distracting myself to the point where I don't notice when it's Sunday night and I have to go to class again in the morning.

I actually do have things planned; I'm not going to be a complete and utter loner today. I'm having a movie night with one of my suitemates next door, and the fact that I'll actually have a real TV to watch something on instead of a 13" computer screen is going to be very lovely indeed. Oh, that and interaction with another person. That'll be nice, too.

And on Sunday I'm going to get lunch with a girl from Southlake, a town near where I used to live. This is going to be much better than sitting in front of my computer, moony-eyed at Downton Abbey on Netflix or driving around aimlessly in my car, sobbing to 'It'll All Work Out' by Tom Petty. Yes, I think hanging out with actual people will really do me some good.

Until tomorrow,

Cooper

My dorm; move-in week.

Thursday, August 25, 2011 § 0

I've finally gotten around to uploading the pictures of my dorm, and lo and behold, I found some great pictures of move-in week as well.

That was one of my last meals with the fam in Fort Collins...I wouldn't relive move-in day for the world. I hated it, because I knew my parents and sister were going to leave.

WORST.

But I did get around to setting up my things. Here's my desk.

My tractor-part bookend that I found at the farm!

My wall of frames.

Etsy prints from Matou En Pelouche

I totally made those map hearts! It was simple....just cut out some map hearts....

That's the Sylvia Plath poem with Molly's lips below it....

The photo strip I made of Molly and I in vintage attire; my woven Ikea desk organizer....

I apologize for the ugly ugly flash. But that's my bed! Ikea duvet, Ikea cozy blanket, Ikea pillow (getting a theme here), navy blue pillow with arms from JC Penney, and stuffed dog that I've had since I was in the 3rd grade.

His name is Poofy, and he's going through an identity crisis.

Reading/going on the laptop nook, HOLLA!

This chair is from Bed, Bath, and Beyond and it is crazy, crazy comfortable, y'all.

Well, there ya go, a look into my (not yet)home away from home.

As for my first week of college? Still not amazing, but it takes time, I know. Homework is making me busier, and that, in itself, is something to be thankful for! All distractions are good distractions.

Until later,

Cooper

Another quote? Really??

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Yes. Because this is so me that it hurts.

This video is amazing.

Wednesday, August 24, 2011 § 0

Thank you, Olive and Maggie, for posting it on facebook which therefore led to me watching it and consequently laughing and consequently putting it on my blog. Okay.

Quote. I need to remember this.

Tuesday, August 23, 2011 § 0

Another shot.

Saturday, August 20, 2011 § 0

Dear Downton Abbey,

I watched you once and got super bored. However, on Tumblr, you are extremely popular and are apparently a show with tons of epic romances and fantastic actors and actresses. Therefore, my sister and I have decided to give you another shot.

I will be starting you tonight and I hope that you do not disappoint.

Sincerely,

Cooper

first impressions.

Friday, August 19, 2011 § 6

It's my second day at CSU and so far things are bittersweet.

Let's start with the bitter (it's always best to end with the sweet):

1. I miss my southern hospitality! People aren't exactly rude here, but they're content in their ways. I guess if someone opens the door for someone else and they don't say thank you, it's not a big deal because it's just...expected? I don't know what I'm saying. Is it too much to ask for a simple 'thank you'?!

2. Being far away from family. I could not get to sleep last night because I was going back and forth in my mind about being so far away for so long. It was awful! I think it was just me being me, though- over-thinking something to the point that it makes me upset. I need to get used to this enormous adjustment but it's going to be really hard at this point. I've realized that, in entering adulthood, instead of taking baby steps I've taken three gigantic hops. This could end well or very badly. I'm hoping for well.

3. I obviously don't know how to take care of myself very well when I'm not at home. I took a shower last night and woke up this morning with my hair greasy and disgusting- I left conditioner in my hair. GROSS. There are also still boxes and piles of clothes shoved into my closet that I desperately need to unpack. I'm hoping all of this stuff is just going to take time- time to get adjusted, time to get used to things, time to get used to being far away. BUT HOW LONG AM I SUPPOSED TO WAIT?

And now the sweet:

1. My dorm is adorable. I'll post pictures later, but with my family's help and my inspiration, Secrets of a Stylist, the place turned out awesome. It's so country vintage (hahaha).

2. The roommate- not anything like Leighton Meester in The Roommate (whew). Much less creepy and super friendly- in fact, we're a lot alike in a lot of ways. Luckily we like the same music and the same decor and she's not a partier or anything like that. It's going to be nice.

3. This campus is gorgeous. I got lost today (it's so big- sort of a bitter but sort of a sweet, too) and just walking around aimlessly I realized how beautiful and green it is. I love it!

4. I've got Netflix on my computer and there's always Hulu.com, so whenever I want to watch my favorite shows to keep me company, I can. There's nothing like a good Pushing Daisies marathon to keep the pangs of homesickness at bay.

Those are my first impressions so far. This college experience has been a bumpy one, but I'm expecting to get stronger and to adapt more to Fort Collins (and especially to the distance, yikes). I mean, it's only been my first two days!

Until later,
Cooper

so very apt. and beautiful.

Sunday, August 14, 2011 § 0

Sometimes something calls a man to roam

He’s got to leave behind all the comforts of home

And when I heard the music call to me

I said goodbye to the winter sun because I had to leave

-Nashville Winter, Nick 13

can i just say something?

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I haven't seen 13 Going on 30 in FOREVER, so I watched it tonight. Of course, it was adorable, as always, but I just cannot get over how cute Mark Ruffalo looked in it.

I mean, did I not notice this before or something?

My lawd, he is attractive. He is distracting me from leaving tomorrow.

i'm terrified......

Saturday, August 13, 2011 § 2

of leaving these people behind for months. HOW ON EARTH will I survive?

Haha, dramatic me. But I'm still scared! I know that this is a new chapter of my life and I need to look at the positives, but as tomorrow is my last day, I can't help but be nervous about every little thing.

TERRIFIED. But it's going to be a good thing, I know it!

something exciting was realized today....

Friday, August 12, 2011 § 0

57,000 words later and I can actually cross it off. Life is good.

I love this quote.

Thursday, August 11, 2011 § 0

"Words are, in my not-so-humble opinion, our most inexhaustible form of magic."

-Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 (film), spoken by Dumbledore

(Is this line in the book? I don't remember it and it is absolutely beautiful.)

a fair warning.

Wednesday, August 10, 2011 § 0

Life lately is very college-crazy. There are things to do, things to pack, things to freak out about, you name it. Just a fair warning: if you are annoyed by long rants, nostalgia, and anything college-prep related, you may want to stay away from my blog for at least a week or so.

I was talking to my best friend today, and she agreed- is it terrible that I'd like my freshman year of college to fly by? I want to get used to things, fall into a routine, and get used to the fact that I'm 800 miles away from family 85% of the year.

Something that helps me keep positive lately is The Jimmy Fallon Show. He, out of all of the TV hosts in all the land, is my ABSOLUTE FAVORITE. He's the best. Here's a clip from his show that makes me laugh every time.

HILARITY.

the pros and cons about next week: aka becoming a CSU student

Monday, August 8, 2011 § 0

I've been driving myself INSANE lately, which I imagine is a common action being performed by all soon-to-be college students. Things need to be packed and sorted, including emotions, and I've got to start preparing myself for a change of lifestyle very soon.

That all sounds very dramatic, mind you, but I can't help but be dramatic as I am a nervous wreck. In fact, the only thing keeping me together right now is thinking of all of the things I'll get to look forward to in the upcoming year. In fact, there are both pros and cons to becoming a college student in Colorado (or elsewhere, but for blog's sake let's say CSU) and leaving your parents far, far behind, and that, folks, is how you transition into your blog post entitled:

PRO #1

Independence. Being independent takes all the things that were once menial and boring and turns them awesome and fun. FOR EXAMPLE:

1. Grocery shopping

2. Laundry

3. Sending mail

4. Driving long distances

Just saying.

CON #1

Having to remember things that your parents would usually just remind you of. Eye doctor appointments? Getting your oil changed? Fixing your clock for daylight savings time???

PRO #2

In Colorado, Winter means 8 months of blistering cold. It also means getting to wear things like this:

Oxfords, skinny cords, oversize sweatshirts, knit scarves, riding boots- who could possibly ask for more?

CON #2

Not being able to wear things like this in the blistering Texas heat:

Oh, sundresses, shorts, bathing suits and sandals, you will be missed.

PRO #3

No more stupid high school people. No more stupid lunch lines in the stupid cafeteria. No more stupid girls talking in giant groups blocking the hallway. No more obnoxious kids that don't care about their education and being stupid. No more stupid high school.

I'M NOT BITTER.

I'm dreaming of getting my breakfast and taking it up to my room, and going to a class where people actually care what the teacher has to say....ah, bliss!

CON #3

Maintaining good grades, an adequate social life, and extracurriculars all at the same time is hard to do without becoming a vegetable. Well, so I've heard.

I don't want to end on a con, so here's the last pro:

PRO #4

Meeting new people, decorating your dorm, falling in love with your future career, and falling in love with your college.

Yay for pros and cons lists!

...

I'm still scared crap-less. Lord help me.

here i am...

Sunday, August 7, 2011 § 0

After three days of being at the farm, I feel like I've been gone a lifetime. My room feels different. The house smells weird. And was the picture above my laptop always that crooked?

Yes. It was. Going to the farm always feels like going out of the country, since we're not able to use cell phones, laptops, or the like. However, that's what I love about going.