International Target Fireworks/Well Dressed Wednesday

     We went to the Target Fireworks Monday night. I haven't been to the fireworks in 4 years and I wish someone would have told me that teenagers don't go with their parents. But oh well, I had fun anyway. We were at the Riveralk in the back of the Renaissance Center and we had a great view. We waited 3 hours for the fireworks to start. We didn't do much but there was plenty of action to keep us entertained. There were 8 "altercations," 2 stampedes and gun shots. In the end a 14 teen year old male accidentally shot himself and the bullet went through him and hit a girl. It was definitely something out of a movie. It was too much for my parents (they're old) but Michelle and I thought it was way better than a night at home, watching TV. 

Canada

Ambassador Bridge

Canada

Back of Ren Cen

Police blockade

Back of Ren Cen

Front of Ren Cen

Front of Ren Cen

A Taste of the Fireworks

Today is (was?) a Beautiful Day

Positive title or what? Well I'd say "or what" if that "or what" equaled 'true statement'. Today the weather wasn't too hot or too cold. The sky wasn't too sunny or too cloudy. And my cousin, Michelle, and my grandmother, Nana, weren't too distant or too clingy. Earlier today my church had a tailgate out in the parking lot and I brought Beau(!). He was a handful at first but then he was so cute and sweet and good. I had some delicious, amazing pie that is the best pie I've ever eaten. I changed into this outfit afterwards when Michelle and I walked around town (my other outfit was covered in dog hair and smelled like BBQ). I got these shorts on my shopping trip to the Salvation Army. I was looking for a comfy high-waisted pair of cotton shorts and I found them! I now have my cousin Michelle to be my photographer because she's staying with us for a while. 

sweater: Macy's
sandals: Roxy
belt: thrifted

Late Night Flashback Friday

It's late. But at least it's still Friday :) So these photos were taken on an NJHS trip in 8th grade (2009) to Mackinac Island, MI. We stayed at the Mackinac Grand Hotel; the finest hotel in Mackinac and probably one of the finest in Michigan. On the Island you can't drive cars; you travel by foot, horse, or bike. So the whole island smelled like horse poop. It was pretty cold and rainy (it was April) but still a great experience. We had a dance. This dance was the first time a guy ever gave me the line,"A beautiful name for a beautiful girl." I had creme brulee for the first time and my mom had caviar. I just wish I took more pictures.

I've Disappointed and I'm Sorry

Yesterday was Well Dressed Wednesday. I forgot though. (I haven't dressed up in a while anyway, but there are some new outfits on my Chictopia.)I honestly just remembered this several minutes ago. The reason? It's gotten to that point during summer vacation when I can't keep track of days of the week. It's just another day in my lazy life. I only do about two chores a day: clean the kitchen and take care of the dog. Other than that I lay around watching TV and going on Twitter (#addicted). My mom just said something about a Dog's Life, i.e. eat, sleep, walk. And since this is what I'm doing, I will feature some photos of my dog. 

The Backyard is Blooming (and overgrown)

     My backyard is completely landscaped. The previous owners landscaped it. This is our first spring in this house and we are seeing the cycle of growth, death and regrowth. Even the ornamental trees bloomed in spring but now they're boring leaves. Oh wait! I think two of them are some type of fruit trees. I'll stop talking now because only pictures can express the true beauty of a grassless backyard! (grassless isn't a word, thanks squiggly red line)

The red and pink trees are in my backyard. The white one is our neighbor's

This is one of my fav. Water inside the flower is reflecting. See it?

I put that white petal there

As you might see, ants really liked these before they bloomed.

From the ornamental fruit tree above. mysterious berry...

These should actually be pulled but the yellow flower is so cute

It's in the shape of a heart. Coincidental?...

This is only half the backyard. And things look different now, 3 weeks later.

Inspiration/Wish List

I make one of these collages every so many months; they usually coincide with the beginning of a season. This is actually the third one I've made. The first one was more wintery and the second was just a palate of textures and prints. This one features spring/summer trends and it may have a scarce amount of pictures (compared to the other two) but it packs a lot of ideas and inspiration. There's a lot of colorblocking and the colors are bright. The shoes are amazing, especially all the wedges. There are fun tribal prints. There is one phenomenal swimsuit and....a banana necklace!

Pictures taken from Teen Vogue, Seventeen, and People Style Watch. Sorry, I wouldn't be able to detail each item individually.

Flashback Friday

Today's photos are ones that I recently edited but took quite some time ago. 

This is my cousin Camille. She's standing on a beach in Lake Michigan (forget the name). I took this with my old EnV touch in 2010. This is blurred on purpose.

This is Mackinac Island. Taken in 2009.

Taken with my old Samsung digital camera in 2010.

Dress up Day

Even though I have nowhere to go today, I dressed up. Mainly because I've been lookin' like a hot mess this week. I also had a bathtub photo shoot. Mainly because I'm "bored."

Chictopia

Yeah Beau that's cool, not looking in my direction and all...