More Magic Always

Psst....

2010-12-30T14:08:00.000-07:00

Hey guys!

Just in case you wanted to know (and weren't sick of me yet!), I've started a new blog, about empowered living for today's teenagers.

http://luinaemcanish.blogspot.com/

Hope to see you there!

P.S. Check out my tumblr and twitter

See y'all over there!

So long, farewell, auf Wiedersehen, good night

2010-12-05T18:02:00.000-07:00

I've enjoyed writing this blog more then you call can possibly imagine. But, as much as I love More Magic Always, it isn't me anymore. It isn't what I want people to look at and say- that's Luinae.

So I'm taking a break- at least for the rest of December, maybe longer. And More Magic Always, sadly, will no longer exist. Blogging here just doesn't fit into the life I'm creating for myself, not right now. I don't think I'll be gone forever, but right now, it's stress and trauma I really don't need. I need to just be me, and right now, this blog isn't allowing me to do so.

Maintaining a blog takes a lot of time- time, that in the month of December, I just don't have. Other priorities come first- volunteering, schoolwork, and my family. I love blogging, I really do! Other stuff just is slightly more important.

I think I may start blogging again, but somewhere else, differently. With a new blog, that allows me to be me, without the archives and everything else dragging me down. Right now, it just isn't working, and I've come to terms with that. I'm not going to keep beating myself over the head. I'll keep you all posted if I decide to.

But for now, So long, farewell, auf Wiedersehen, good night

♥ Luinae

P.S. I'll be keeping up with tumblr, and twitter, if you still want to ~~stalk~~ follow me.

Present Living

2010-11-27T11:20:00.000-07:00

This moment, when you read these words, is all you have. At first, it's a terrifying thought. After all, you have both your past - experiences that have shaped you into the person you are today - and the future - the wild, scary, planned for future. Really though, you have this moment. And (at the risk of sounding like a cheesy black edged motivational poster) this moment is the only one there will ever be.

I don't plan on going all Zen monk on you and saying that we should never think about the past or the future. I think about the future all the time, as it keeps me happy & excited & focused. I think about the past sometimes, as it has shaped me into what I am today. Still, the amount of time I spend thinking about this moment, right now, today, is frighteningly small.

With minimalism, I've found, comes the desire to live in the moment. Enjoy now. If I'm always focused on the past, or the future, life is just passing me by. It's going, going, gone, while I'm worried about something else.

Why I ♥ Living in the Moment

1. Everything is better. Tea tastes better when you really focus on drinking it. Music is more beautiful when you really listen to it. Books are more meaningful when you read them like they're the only thing in the world. Everything (and I really do mean everything) becomes infinitely more precious and wonderful, which makes me happier.

2. You stop worrying. I'm a worrier by nature. I worry about my grades, my future, my dance performance, my health, my family, my relationships, and much more. Always have been, and, for the most part, I probably will always keep an element of this in my personality. When I live in the moment, I stop worrying about what I got on the math test (which is already done, hello?), and start enjoying my slice of chocolate cake.

3. Connection. Ever had a conversation where the person kept texting? It feels like you're talking to a brick wall. It's immensely irritating & I can't stand it. The best conversations I've ever had have been where there were no distractions, we've both had a cup of water/tea/hot cocoa, and we just talked. We really connected, really bonded. That's wonderful, and priceless.

4. More time. This may sound bizarre, but ever since I've started doing this, I've noticed that my days seem longer, and I get more done. I think (and this is just a theory) that it's because I don't fritter away my time doing this and that. I do things deliberately, with love and care, and it stretches out my day. And come on, doesn't everyone want more time?

How?

Making the switch from always worrying, always dwelling on the past and the future, to living in the present- it isn't easy. It's taken me months, to be honest. I had to work on it!

Also, thinking about the past or the future is not some great evil. I still think about the past, and the future, and I love doing so. Just make sure that it isn't all you think about, and that you aren't always worrying. That's the point of present living, not forgetting the past and future.

1. Exercise. Exercise is great for living in the moment, especially, if like me, your type of exercise requires concentration. When I dance, I don't think about my family or my work or my school. I just think about my dance. I think about the music, and the rhythm, and the strength of my legs. I'm just dancing. And it feels fantastic.

2. Just eat. Or drink tea, or listen to music, or knit, or whatever! Eat like it's the most delicious meal ever. Focus on the flavors, the texture, how it tastes, whether it's warm or cold. Enjoy it. Love it.

3. Work at it. As I said before, I didn't just pick this up and start using it. I've been working on this since mid-September. It's now almost December. Don't expect to just be able to pick it up. Most awesome things in life require work (learning to read? check. dancing? check.) and this is no exception. Work at it, and the benefits listed above will be your award.

What do you lot think of present living?

♥ Luinae

Love and Love

2010-11-23T16:40:00.001-07:00

♥ Chocolate almond bars ♥ Snow everywhere! And it's still coming down ♥ Striped tights ♥ Marcus Buckingham's amazing book, it's full of such great stuff, and I have to have a notebook nearby so I can take notes! ♥ ♥ My new minimalist desk set-up, it makes me feel so much more productive ♥ Both of the foster babies ♥ Putting sticky notes everywhere ♥ Me: "Would you like to go for coffee?" Friend: "I don't drink coffee, I drink tea." Me: "Oh, me too! But I always say 'Do you want to go for coffee' because if you say 'Let's go out and take tea,' people give you strange looks." ♥ Itunes playlists ♥ Black Swan, which looks like a great, if very creepy movie. I love the brutality of the dance world it portrays. ♥ Focus is amazing, and full of wonderful tips that I have had great sucess in implementing ♥ Getting a private dance lesson from my teacher! ♥ Becoming more flexible. ♥ Leaving notes in my favorite library books (don't worry, on sticky notes) ♥ Our band's awesome funk version of We Three Kings, it sounds SO rad! ♥ ♥ Drinking huge glasses of water

♥ Having little twitter chats with awesome people ♥ Tabitha's Salon Takeover- so, so funny! ♥ SNOW ♥ Christmas anticipation!!! ♥ Hot water bottles ♥ Big, fluffy, cozy, sweaters ♥ Red hair- sometimes, I wish I had red hair. I think I could rock it, too ♥ Re-discovering Emilie Autumn music. It's divine! ♥ Blank space ♥ Cleaning my room ♥ Having lots and lots of blank space in design and just EVERYTHING ♥ Making all my makeup fit in one drawer- I had to get rid of some stuff, but it was so worth it. ♥ My new minimalist room, it's so amazing and I love it. I feel so calm and relaxed when I come in here, it's absolutely wonderful. ♥ The sound chocolate makes when you snap it ♥ Itunes DJ ♥ Planning Christmas activites ♥ Writing letters ♥ Getting rid of my sponsor page- I don't feel like participating in a consumerist culture that urges people to buy anymore ♥ Simplifying more and more parts of my life. It feels great, and I feel relaxed ♥ Deciding that I will never, ever like Pilates and should really just stick to yoga, as I actually enjoy it.

♥ Sticky notes ♥ Finally being done with math unit 2, ugh it was painful, but at least it's finally over! ♥ Christmas pictures ♥ Planning the presents I'm going to get for everyone ♥ vanilla scented candles ♥ re-organizing my books into color order- my younger sisters helped me and we had an absolute blast! ♥ my new morning routine (post soon, I promise!) ♥ Doing a really great, elbow grease clean of my room. Everything feels so wonderful and fresh. I ♥ it, you have no idea how wonderful it feels. Seriously. ♥ Chilling with my younger sisters, 'cuz my room is the warmest one in the house ♥ Candy floss ♥ Re-reading all the Harry Potter books ♥ Taking the StrengthFinder quiz, it's really interesting and informative ♥ Cutting down the blogs I follow- "limiting the steam," as I like to say ♥ Watching tv shows while chilling ♥ Drink many, many, many cups of tea each and every day ♥ Being back on top of my school work ♥ Making fun of cheesy commercials ♥ Singing Tom Jones in freezing cold cars

What do you love this week?

♥ Luinae

A Very Minimalist Christmas

2010-11-21T14:12:00.000-07:00

Minimalism and Christmas are something that, at first glance, seem to be complete opposites to one another. After all, minimalism is about paring down, getting rid of what you don't need, and having minimal possessions, whereas Christmas is about giving gifts and presents. I'm here to say that's completely untrue- my family has been having what we call a "minimalist Christmas" for the past several years.

Note: My family started enjoying & celebrating a minimalist Christmas after two years of financial hardship, then decided we liked it so much that kept doing it!

Last year, when school resumed in the new year, I was asking a classmate how their Christmas was. They responded with a list of what they had gotten for Christmas (snowboard, iphone, etc.) instead of talking about their Christmas. At the time, I didn't really notice much. Now, when I look back on it, I just think that it's sad. Now, presents are a part of Christmas for a lot of people, and they're still a part of my family's, but that's not all Christmas is. Christmas is making cookies & candy, go sledding & ice skating, wrapping presents, making paper snowflakes, and decorating the tree. Christmas is SO much more then a list of all the stuff people gave you.

Presents are still a part of our Minimalist Christmas- mainly because we love wrapping presents, picking them out for each other, watching the foster baby open them, and stacking them around the tree. But, instead of my parents getting up piles of endless toys, books, etc., they usually ask us for one present we like, something that's a little bit more expensive, something that we will use frequently. For example, this year, I've asked for an Ipod, because my old one broke after four years. My younger sisters have both asked for a camera. This makes so much more sense to me- because we get to ask for one thing we will really enjoy, love, and cherish. It's a lot more meaningful.

As far as other presents go, we usually get a few other presents from our parents (2-3), small things, or handmade things, a book we really want, a scarf, etc. Father Christmas still fills out stockings, usually with practical stuff like hand cream, chapstick, etc. and chocolate. He also usually brings us a family present- a sled, a board game. Then us kids (me, my younger brother, two younger sisters, and two foster brothers) buy each other little presents. This is more so that we like giving and choosing out special things for each other.

It's not a super minimalist Christmas- but it's about more then presents. To be honest, I usually forget it's a small Christmas until I go back to school and everyone else is talking about getting laptops and skis and phones.

But to be perfectly, absolutely, completely honest, I would rather have my family's Christmas then anyone else's. Because I know a lot of people, all they do for Christmas is give each other presents. My family likes to sing Muppet Christmas songs, go ice skating, made candy together, decorate the house, wrap presents, and enjoy each other's company.

Anyone can buy stuff. Only my unique, perfectly imperfect, wonderful family can have the experiences that we do.

What do you lot do for Christmas?

♥ Luinae

Love and Love

2010-11-16T16:58:00.000-07:00

♥ Stereotypical Canadian Moose, as seen above ♥ ♥ Doing an interview with Vanessa, from the Chicken Soup for the Dorky Soul frame of things. She is just as sweet and clever as you would imagine! Plus, she has great hair. ♥ ♥ Dear David Cameron: People who need heating don't give a bleep whether you've been to Eton, they just want you to keep 'em from freezing ♥ My 30 for 30 challenge, which is going absolutely swimmingly. ♥ Watching all the Harry Potter movies ♥ Shoveling a foot of snow off my driveway, which is an absolute killer upper back workout ♥ Hooping in my pajamas ♥ Dangly earrings, all the time ♥ Pulling my hair back in a ponytail ♥ Working up a sweat ♥ Making footprints in the snow ♥ Two hour conversations with old friends ♥ Candy Floss! ♥ Finally being caught up on my e-mail. I am so bad at it, I swear.

"Your essay should be like a skirt. Long enough to cover the subject but short enough to be interesting."

♥ Making fun of David Cameron! David Cameron fans I'm sorry- OK, actually I'm not. ;) ♥ Planning for Christmas activities ♥ That we got half a foot of snow this morning ♥ ♥ Robin Hood ♥ hand knitted socks ♥ pomegranates ♥ Christmas wish-lists ♥ Making lists of new music to get ♥ Walking everywhere instead of driving ♥ laughter ♥ Feminism ♥ "It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live" ♥ Huge libraries ♥ Writing awesome (if I do say so myself) fight scenes ♥ Mean Girls quotes ♥ Getting into reading again ♥ Wispy hair hanging around people's faces

♥ Sitting with the saxophone section ♥ sharing dark chocolate during band teacher lectures ♥ snow, snow, snow, snow ♥ sticky fruits ♥ Neutral eyeshadow and lip gloss ♥ Large hoop earrings ♥ The Mini Pop Kids versions of all the songs- incredibly hilarious ♥ Eating bowls of crisps at other people's houses ♥ dark chocolate almond nuts ♥ seeing your breath in the morning air ♥ writing ♥ tangy zangy's ♥ Cloaks ♥ the newest foster baby, who is four days old ♥ looking through old photos ♥ writing letters on pretty purple paper ♥ Soft, fluffy, clean bathrobes ♥ ♥ Organizing my closet ♥ Making volunteer spreadsheets ♥ Filling my filofax with all sorts of fun plans- volunteering! tea runs! movie nights!

What do you love this week?

♥ Luinae

13, 14, 15 November 2010 - Starting

2010-11-15T19:35:00.000-07:00

Outfit Details:

♥ Black sweatpants- Costco

♥ Ruched grey t-shirt- thrifted

♥ Green tie neck cardigan- thrifted

♥ Black trainers- thrifted

♥ Chandelier earrings- thrifted

Outfit Notes:

This outfit was the kick-off to my 30 for 30 challenge, and even I will admit that it lacks a bit of pizazz and excitement (don't worry, they get a lot better!) but my family was spending the day cleaning and getting our front garden ready for winter, so a pencil skirt wasn't exactly practical.

Taking these photos reminded me of something else: sweatpants are not flattering. I'm relatively thin (about a size 4-6 in Canada, for trousers), and I was hard pressed to find a photo that didn't make me look larger then I am, disproportionate, or just plain bad. I do, however, really like that t-shirt, it's a fantastic layering piece, so you'll probably be seeing it make many additional appearances.

Outfit Details:

♥ Mustard top- thrifted

♥ Dark wash jeans- thrifted

♥ Black trainers- thrifted

♥ Green pashmina- Covent Garden

♥ Cocktail ring (not visible)- thrifted

Outfit Notes:

I happen to be amazingly fond of this outfit. It's really difficult for me to find any shade of yellow that doesn't make me look hideously ill, so this thrifted yellow top was a godsend. I love the colour yellow (I mean, it's the colour of my walls!) so it's nice to finally find a colour that looks good on me.

I also really like these jeans- they're comfortable, worn in, dark wash, and thrifted, which is basically everything I look for in a trouser. The green pashmina with with the yellow top make a complementary colour scheme, and I really like the way it turned out.

This is the outfit I wore to go to the Girl Guide bazaar. I meant to pop in quickly, purchase a few bags of candy floss, and leave to walk home. However, I ended up in a two hour conversation with some old friends of mine! Oops......

Like the jazz hands? I thought so.

Outfit Details:

♥ Teal top- H&M

♥ Grey wool skirt- thrifted

♥ Black ribbed tights- Canadian Superstore

♥ Black high heels- New Look

♥ Dark and light grey long wrap cardigan- thrifted

♥ Orange beaded bracelet- handmade

♥ Red flower earrings- handmade

Outfit Notes:

I love, love, love, love, love this outfit! Seriously, I really love it. Usually I feel like this skirt makes my hips look too big (and I do have rather big hips, but that's beside the point), but I actually love how it looks here. I also love how my calves look- all that Irish Dance must be working!

The above picture is me trying to do a "model" pose (note to self: get day job). Which is sort of bizarre looking, but hey, at least I tried! The heels I'm wearing are just high enough for me to feel fabulous, but not in pain. Which is exactly what I want from a high heeled shoe. I love the color of the top, because I think the rich, jewel tone teal is a great color. I love my idea to tuck in the cardigan, so it doesn't overpower the skirt.

Also, this skirt makes my legs look approximately a quatrillion miles long- LOVE! All right, I'll stop gushing about this outfit now. It made me feel great, and I think it made me look pretty great as well.

The bracelet and earrings, though not as noticeable in the photographs, are orange-red colours. This is to create a complimentary color scheme with the blue-green shirt.

I'm really looking forward to doing the rest of my challenge. One question- would you prefer daily outfit posts to the big block of outfits in a post like this? Or do you like this way? Please let me know, so I can serve you better.

♥ Luinae

Luinae does 30 for 30

2010-11-13T16:00:00.001-07:00

I really don't like boredom, or un-originality. And yet, oddly enough, I find limited options and deadlines can force me to do some of my best creative work. Go figure. So I have decided to take the 30 for 30 challenge, and I'm really looking forward to it.

What is the 30 for 30 challenge? This challenge is were you choose 30 items from your closet (shoe are included, but accessories and jewelery are not). I've also decided that necessary clothing doesn't count either- for example, if I don't wear a coat, I'll get hypothermia, same sort of thing with undergarments. So I'll be choosing these 30 items, and resizing them into 30 different outfits, from November 12 to December 11, I'll be wearing the same 30 pieces of clothing.

This time of the year is always busy- for everyone. I'm doing NaNoWriMo, trying to catch up on the school stuff I got behind during my vacation, learning new choreography for dance, rehearsing for Christmas shows, doing Christmas shopping & activities, and volunteering at a local festival. That's a lot! Working with a limited palette of clothing will force me to be innovative and creative, a perfect spice to this hectic time!

I will be cataloging my outfits, and will make a weekly round up post of what I've worn that week.

The List:

Shoes (4):

♥ Black high heeled boots (Zellers)
♥ Black high heels (New Look)
♥ Sleek black and white trainers (thrifted)
♥ Brown wedges (thrifted)

Trousers (3):

♥ Dark wash bootcut jeans (thrifted)
♥ Trouser jeans (GAP)
♥ Black sweatpants (Costco)

Skirts (4):

♥ Black bohemian skirt with mesh netting (thrifted)
♥ Magenta pencil skirt (H&M)
♥ Black and cream full skirt (New Look)
♥ Grey wool skirt (thrifted)

Tops (9):

♥ Mustard yellow three quarter length top (thrifted)
♥ Teal square neck shirt (H&M)
♥ Ruched grey t-shirt (thrifted)
♥ Purple-blue v neck t-shirt (thrifted)
♥ Cerulean blue ruffled tank (thrifted)
♥ Knitted purple pocked top (thrifted)
♥ Black turtleneck (GAP)
♥ Grey long sleeve buttoned top (thrifted)
♥ Fuchsia blouse with sash (thrifted)

Cardi's, etc. (7):

♥ Dark and light grey long wrap cardigan (thrifted)
♥ Light grey checked waistcoat (thrifted)
♥ Green tie neck cardigan (thrifted)
♥ Cerulean blue cardigan (thrifted)
♥ Dark grey cropped cardigan (thrifted)
♥ Cropped navy blue polka dot jacket (H&M)
♥ Black cardigan (thrifted)

Dresses (3) :

♥ Grey sweaterdress (thrifted)
♥ Purple ribbed dress (thrifted)
♥ Black empire waist dress (Winners)

I must admit that I'm a tad bit nervous- but I'm sure that with the support of the blogging community, I'll do splendidly!

♥ Luinae

Love and Love

2010-11-09T23:39:00.000-07:00

♥ Peppermints and hot tea. Is there a more fabulous combination? I think not. ♥ Getting to volunteer at the Festival of Lights (it's a local thing) with all my friends. It's gonna be so much fun! ♥ Playing fun music in band class ♥ Marcus Buckingham, who has really great ideas ♥ Watching Harry Potter movies, which are really lovely ♥ Hellcats, the tv show. It's trash.......but it's engaging trash ♥ This super awesome new dance we're doing. It has JAZZ HANDS! I am so excited about this, it's unreal. ♥ The Hat Dance, which is so fun, and a little bit sexy, not too much, but enough to where it's fun ♥ Contemporary dance ♥ Making Christmas wishlists ♥ Christmas anticipation ♥ Good ideas coming out of NaNowrimo ♥ Hooping around my room, and the back deck ♥ Chips with salt and vinegar ♥ Not being in normal school. I'm always so glad I "escaped" ♥ Getting compliments on my outfits ♥ ♥

♥ I mean, I'm totally hilarious. ♥ Star Wars marathons! "These are not the droids you are looking for" ♥ Electricity, from Billy Elliot ♥ Political songs. Especially political rap songs. ♥ Ranting about Twilight ♥ My dance teacher had this amazing moment and went on a Lord of the Dance rant and was all like: "I don't get it. I mean, they just took off their clothes. If they had come on like that, it would have been all right, but they were just taking off their clothes. It was weird." ♥ Sweatpants ♥

♥ See: above. It shouldn't be funny, but it is. ♥ blogger to blogger interaction ♥ Hot water bottles and fuzzy blankets ♥ knitting projects ♥ Reading long, long, long books ♥ Sparkly eyeliner ♥ Simplified makeup routines ♥ Just my family being together. We are a really great, interesting group of people and I love spending time with them ♥ Being able to see my breath in the mornings ♥ Walking to and from school ♥ Wearing cute little bright colored leather gloves ♥ tinted lip balm ♥ Super long, dangling earrings ♥ Providing commentary on Rob Anderson's (he's our MLA) speech with my friends R. and W. Just in case you were wondering, out commentary wasn't exactly favorable ♥ Irish Dance Masterclass DVD ♥ Notebooks ♥ Reading magazines at the library

What do you love this week?

♥ Luinae

Love and Love

2010-11-03T10:53:00.003-06:00

♥ Nanowrimo! ♥ It's going really well this year, I'm already over 3000 words and it's only day 1 ♥ Star Wars: The Phantom Menace (haters to the left) ♥ Drinking huge cups of water ♥ Working from my filofax- it makes me feel super productive and organized. ♥ Music by Adiemus & Karl Jenkins, a Welsh composer. Wales, represent! ♥ Trigonometry. Once you understand it, it's actually really fun ♥ Making maps of imaginary places ♥ That my sisters are doing NaNoWriMo too. They have to do everything I do- it can be annoying, but mostly it's really cute. ♥ Knitting fun projects ♥ Looking at Riverdance pictures ♥ VOTE VOTE VOTE, if you are in America ♥ "Every time Christine O'Donnell says "I'm you" I want to be all like: hahahahahahahahaha NO" ♥ Listening to new music- Delhi 2 Dublin, Adiemus ♥ Calling things "groovy" ♥ Being on top of my e-mail again ♥ Eowyn's costumes in Lord of the Rings

♥ My flaky skin going away ♥ "How is a Tea Partier winning against a Democrat. I thought they weren't even REAL, like Conservative unicorns?" ♥ Watching tea brew ♥ Freshly sharpened pencils ♥ Learning more of our set dance, The Storyteller. We have this backwards hop, rally behind, toe that's really tricky, but awesome ♥ Pie ♥ Making jokes about the american election ♥ My Aunt's wife, who was telling me that the best way to get rid of people coming to try and convert you is just to scream "I'm a Lesbian!" She's an absolute riot. ♥ Hope ♥ ♥ Leftover Halloween candy ♥ Books about dance, especially when they describe them in a way that makes me feel like it just makes sense

♥ The new Tamora Pierce book about Yanjing! ♥ A Norwegiean inspired scarf ♥ Awesome leather gloves ♥ ♥ My band class is playing "Happy X-mas (War is Over)" and I love that song!! ♥ ♥ Oboe solos ♥ Cold hands & chapped lips ♥ Striped shirts ♥ Awesome hats- cloches are especially awesome ♥ High heeled boots ♥ Fragrance mists ♥ Having lots of posts to catch up on in Bloglovin ♥ My NaNo report card ♥ Eva Ibbotson's Writing- it's just amazing ♥ Music you can dance too ♥ Chanting ♥ Laughter ♥ The foster baby, who has just learned to walk backwards. ♥

What do you love this week?

♥ Luinae

P.S. Sorry it's a day late, things got hectic

P.P.S. Christine O'Donnell didn't get elected. Thank goodness. I actually had a nightmare were she was elected. *shudders*

Closet Purge

2010-11-01T17:42:00.001-06:00

The dreaded IHNTWBACFOC syndrome (I have nothing to wear but a closet full of clothes) can strike at any moment. I usually decide that it means it is time for a good, old fashioned closet purge, Luinae style!

As a side note, when I do a closet purge, I donate my old clothing, give them to my friends, or pass them on to my younger sisters. Do not throw out your clothing- reduce, reuse, recycle.

Closet Purge

♥ Step 1: Take everything out. Seriously. Everything. Remember this? Start with an empty closet. All of your shoes, jackets, accessories, clothes. Everything. Lay it all out on your floor, or on the bed. Feel worried at the complete mess you've made.

♥ Step 2: Go through the boring, non fun clothing and check that you have a reasonable amount of everything (hint: you don't need ten pairs of pajamas) and make sure it is all in good working order. So no wholes in underwear, runs in tights, half sets of pajamas. Put all of the necessary clothing back into your closet.

♥ Step 3: Choose your limits. This depends largely on your climate and lifestyle, so I can only share what I do. I take the three seasons I experience living in Canada (winter, summer, autumn/spring) and pretend I am going on a two week trip in all of them. For example, I pretend I will be going on a two week trip in winter and think I'll need
♥ 1 winter coat
♥ 4 pairs of gloves
♥ 2 hats
♥ 6 pairs of tights, 6 pairs of trousers
♥ 5 skirts
♥ 4 dresses
♥ 7 shirts
And so on, and so on, whatever you wear on a regular basis. This step forces me to decide what clothes are really my favourite, and what are the most versatile. Do I really need sixteen sweaters? Choose what works for you and stick with it.
If you are in a less, ahem, volatile climate then me, you may only need clothes for summer and autumn. This is my personal system.

♥ Step 4: Look at what's left. Is it stuff that you only use for formal occasions? Are they clothes you honestly don't wear a lot? Be honest with yourself during this step.

♥ Step 5: Wash. Rinse. Repeat. I do this once in Autumn/Winter (I'm doing mine today! Can't wait!) and once in Spring/Summer. This is just the right amount for me. I've also found that ever since I started doing this I have had less and less to get rid of when I do it the next time. I guess I've just started buying less stuff I don't need. I still purge to get rid of too small clothes, as I'm still growing (most of my readers won't have this problem! :p) and to get rid of worn out clothing, if I have any.

♥ Step 6: Apply this same system of logic (the two week trip) to other areas. I recently did it on my makeup drawer. I wrote down the makeup I wore for two weeks, and I got rid of the stuff I wasn't wearing. The smaller stash is much nicer.

Contrary to popular belief, the less clothing I have, the easier it is to get dressed. I don't know how. But it works.

How do you perform a closet purge?

♥ Luinae

Start Empty; Become Full

2010-10-31T12:16:00.002-06:00

This is my approach to minimalist organizing & de cluttering- a system I use when I want to organize a part of my room/life. I recommended only choosing to do one system at a time. For example, spend today organizing your clothes, or your bookshelf, or your desk, or your cosmetics. If you do it all at once, you will become tired and uninterested. It's better to take things slowly and do them properly then go fast and do it incorrectly.

The philosophy behind this way of organizing (Start empty; become full) is that our excess possessions weigh us down. I consider excess possessions as possessions that don't support a hobby, serve a useful function, or being a lot of beauty into your life. Also, if you start empty, it's like a clean slate in your mind, and in front of you that allows you to get into a minimalist mindset.

How To

Choose whatever you are going to organize today- bookshelf/closet/makeup drawer/desk and empty it out. Completely. Take every book off that shelf, every pencil out of that desk. Start with a completely empty, clean slate. Notice how lovely, beautiful, and clean it is to have that empty bookshelf. Spread your stuff all over the floor.

Then, when you start organizing, put stuff back onto the shelf with thought and care. Every item on your bookshelf/desk should have to earn it's way there. If it isn't adding a value or use to your life, it doesn't belong taking up your precious space. Additionally, if you have all the extra space, you make space, both physically and mentally, to attract the clothes, books, etc. that you actually want.

Every item I own pulls its weight- if it doesn't, I don't own it. Unless it pulls it's weight, stuff is just stuff. When's useful/beautiful it becomes more then stuff- it becomes an object, a possession.

For organizing, I also recommend a generous block of time. If you rush though it, you'll be less then satisfied with the results. I also like to listen to really upbeat, fun music. Delhi 2 Dublin is my current favourite; they're Irish/Indian fusion, and they're rad.

How to you organize? Would you use this method?

♥ Luinae

P.S. Check back tomorrow for an article on how to organize your closet using a mix of Limits, and Start Empty; Become Full

Limits

2010-10-28T22:09:00.003-06:00

I'm a hard and fast rules kind of person. It's just I like a little bit of flexibility, but I also like planning. Lots of planning, lots of goal setting. I like knowing that I have dance from 6-10 on Tuesdays, and that I always do Math work first, then French, then English. Simply put, I love structure.

But it wasn't until I read the Zen Habits article called "Travelling Lightly through Life" that I realized the same principle (structure, planning, rules, limits) could be applied to my possesions.

Set limits. To keep his bag light, a traveler might limit his pants to two, his shirts to three, and his socks to four. Use a similar strategy to keep your stuff under control: decide, for example, to own only five sweaters, fifty books, or the amount of craft supplies that’ll fit into one storage box.

I, for one, will never be a hardcore minimalist. I will never be the kind of person who lives with three changes of clothes, a handful of books, and lots of empty space everywhere. I don't roll like that, and I don't think that it's the only form minimalism can take on. My form of minimalism is to reduce my consumption, enjoy what I already own, strip items from my life that don't add value. Just because something may not add value to your life, or the life of the person writing a book about minimalism, doesn't mean it won't add value to my life. I own a lot of books, and they add value to my life. I purchase them from thrift stores and secondhand shops, and I read and love every single book I own. To me, that's still minimalism. Something that wouldn't be minimalist (to me, and my own personal brand on minimalism) would be keeping and buying books you didn't read and enjoy, buying beyond your means, buying books just for the sake of it, and keeping books that you don't love.

In any case, back to what I was saying. Limits. Definition.

So I was reading this post and I got to the limits bit and was all like: "Dude, I think this is the greatest invention since indoor plumbing (not sliced bread. Don't be lazy and slice your own damn bread. For real, yo)." So I've decided to set limits on what I can own. It doesn't mean I can't purchase new things, but it does mean that if something comes in, something goes out.

Some of my personal limits will be such, simply based on a combination of what I already own, what I feel is reasonable, and the space I occupy. Your limits may be much smaller or much larger then mine. Just do what feels right to you!

♥ 12 pairs of earrings (I have an earring tree that holds that many)
♥ 20 necklaces (ditto the space thing)
♥ 4 purses
♥ And so on, and so on

Some of you purists out there are probably going, "20 necklaces? Are you kidding? 4 purses? What are you, Paris Hilton?"

To me, those limits are reasonable and they fit with my aesthetic, lifestyle, and budget. I also don't see why I should have to get ride of half of my necklaces that I really love and wear on a regular basis so I can be a "proper" minimalist.

I plan to do more limits on some of my things that I think need limits- unnecessary toiletries, bracelets, gloves, hats. There may be some more things I will limit- I have a different idea for clothes, but you'll have to wait and see for that one!

What do you think of limiting your possession? What would you limit, if you did decide to limit?

♥ Luinae

P.S. Speaking of limits, I have decided on a posting schedule for MMA. I will be posting on Mondays, Thursdays, & Saturdays, in addition to Love & Love

Love and Love

2010-10-26T16:55:00.002-06:00

♥ Sleeping in my own bed ♥ Garlic bread ♥ Soft green cardigans & huge earrings ♥ being political on twitter ♥ It's snowing! I probably won't be as excited in March, but it's cool now ♥ Organic mac and cheese ♥ lemonade ♥ Ice clinging to trees ♥ Pashminas and harem pants ♥ Making lists of all the places I want to travel to ♥ That I get to go to dance again tonight after missing it for a week ♥ NaNoWriMo starts soon! So psyched! ♥ Drinking tea again ♥ Having more relaxed mornings ♥ Winter on Emerald Bay, our new band piece ♥ Arm warmers- fashion world, what an accessory you have missed ♥ my watch with peace symbols ♥ Dance Me if you Can ♥ Standing up to people ♥ Taking traditional clothing and wearing it with a twist

"In a dancer, there is a reverence for such forgotten things as the miracle of the small beautiful bones and their delicate strength."

♥ f***yeahsilmarillion ♥ "Some people are annoying." ♥ pomegranates ♥ Sunrises ♥ Oprah magazine, which is surprisingly good, and so not for my age group ♥ political cartoons ♥ the sound of rain ♥ strangers who are really kind to you. I was feeling ill on the plane and this woman switched spots with me and gave me some tylenol ♥ peppermints, red and green ♥ Filling little bowls with peppermints and other sweets around my room ♥ Halloween plans ♥ Being awesome ♥ Epcot!!! ♥ Mission: Space, which was a great ride ♥ Waking up with sore muscles and just feeling so pumped up and ready to go! ♥ Funny colored pajamas

♥ "“Yo Purple Day, I’m real happy for ya, and Imma let you finish, but Breast Cancer Awareness is the best cause for Tumblr to recognize of all time … OF ALL TIME!” - I think I about DIED laughing ♥ This fate could have been avoided if you had a sassy gay friend ♥ the internet ♥ Realizing that it isn't really so hard to love people ♥ Avoiding soda in favor of tea, lemonade, or water ♥ Those big, huge grins that let you know that right now, the world is just the most perfect place in the universe ♥ "The universe has got yo' back, sistah" ♥ My friend W: "YES! Come over, eat candy and complain about your grandparents!" ♥ I was in a debate and someone said: "The problem with socialism is that eventually, you run out of other people's money." And before I could say anything, someone else was all like: "And the problem with quoting Margaret Thatcher is (lists reasons why MT was an awful PM)" ZING ♥ "Why do I have to be tanned for Irish Dance? Irish people are not known for having beautiful, bronze skin." There is so much truth in this! ♥ ♥ ♥

What do you love?

♥ Luinae

Love and Love

2010-10-19T19:39:00.000-06:00

♥ Thrifting ♥ Second hand books with creased spines ♥ Learning a new treble reel ♥ Eating ice cream and watching Hellcats (what? Life isn't always ocean documentaries) ♥ Getting humongous chandelier earrings, as part of my winter wishlist ♥ buttery, salty popcorn ♥ These earrings I have that have the world on them ♥ "Think global. Buy local." ♥ kicking gold leaves down the street ♥ Drinking tea. And more tea. And (wait for it) more tea. ♥ Hiding in wool & knit blankets and curling cold hands around hot tea ♥ giggling ♥ Nordic fairytale ♥ Peanut butter and chocolate ♥ Manatees- "And people say God don't have a sense of humor!"

"Our lives begin to end the moment we become silent about things that matter."

♥ Learning French ♥ Airplane rides ♥ Take off, when you're zooming down the runway ♥ "I don't get people who complain about airplanes, I mean you ARE FREAKING FLYING, hello?" ♥ Knitting huge scarves ♥ Looking through knitting books like some people look through catalogs ♥ The Weekenders ♥ That we're going to Magic Kingdom tomorrow! ♥ My Aunt (who is the coolest person of ALL time) ♥ Hooping ♥ Doing funny exercises in the living room ♥ Ice cold lemonade & hot chips ♥ collecting wonderful quotes ♥ CiCi's Pizza ♥ Garlic bread sticks that are to die for- (yum) ♥ My new watch. The chain is done with peace symbols, and it really fits my personality ♥ Outdoor air markets ♥ Seafood - fried shrimp & clams

♥ Old people who just sit on the street corners and give people cool origami frogs ♥ Leather gloves ♥ Did I mention we were going to Magic Kingdom tomorrow? ♥ Huge sunglasses ♥ Hugs from your grandmama ♥ Eating out ♥ Drinking lots of ice cold water ♥ Chocolate shakes ♥ Fudgesicles ♥ That like a 1/3 of my "Love & Love" is food ♥ Waking up in the morning and padding around the house in barefeet ♥ Swimming outside ♥ Super soft beds and blankets ♥ Peace bracelets ♥ Calming skincare

What do you love this week?

♥ Luinae

Winter Wishlist

2010-10-14T18:44:00.001-06:00

Winter isn't my favourite time of year, but it is most certainly pretty far up there! Think roaring fires, hot chocolate & tea, knitted blankets, Top Gear marathons, crunchy snow, chocolate, snowflakes on eyelashes, wool tights, peppermints, sketchbooks, dreaming, hot soup, chocolate lava cakes, and hot water bottles.

Aesthetically, here's what I'm craving!

* Pashmina's in every color imaginable- to drape around my neck, tie around my waist, throw across my shoulders, use as shawls, wrap my hair in, and tie complicated knots with. Also, I want them from that guy in Covent Garden who sold them for five quid for two. Which basically means I would also like to go to London.

* Long strands of colored beads. Think old lady- but with a modern twist.

* A ballerina wrap sweater, in a soft pink or dove grey, perfect for just wrapping around myself and adding a twist to dresses and normal tops. My mother actually says that she will crochet me one- isn't she the absolute coolest?

* A snood. Like one of those scarf/hood things that look all big & knitted & delicious. Maybe they're called cowls?

* A calf to floor length skirt that isn't too formal. All the ones I can find that are this length are way, way too formal, all silks, and stuff. Think more earth mother then glamazon.

* Humongous chandelier earrings, with as many beads and dangles as possible. I'll wear them and they will get all tangled in my hair and it will be DIVINE. Yes.

* Wood bangles that I can stack up really high up on my arm, but not metal, because they make too many noises when I walk. I am clearly picky.

What do you want to please your aesthetic senses this winter?

♥ Luinae

Style Dilemma: Borrowing from Other Cultures

2010-10-12T14:00:00.003-06:00

I've been thinking lately about cultural significance and ethical choices in what we might consider as fashionable. More to the point, "stealing" from other cultures.

I do this all the time. I find other cultures and places immensely fascinating and have, at times, emulated the way they dress. On several occasions, I've worn a jeweled bindi. My favourite thrift shop is in a neighborhood with a large Indian population, so I've purchased and worn parts of a Sari, often pairing them with jeans and a cool jacket. I've worn jewelry from Pakistan. I've worn head scarves that many people consider "gypsy." I own and regularly wear jewelry with Celtic knots in them. Is this offensive?

I am a white, Jewish, Anglo Saxon woman. My cultures have no cultural dress, so I can't weigh in on the topic. Is it offensive to steal something from other cultures and wear it?

I don't think so. The one thing I do try to make sure is that nothing I wear has religious or serious emotional significance. That, to me, is crossing the line. I, for example, would never wear a hijab, or cross jewelry. I would never wear rosary beads as a fashion statement. That seems to be going a little too far, and to some people, those things are really important and have a great deal of religious and spiritual significance. In this day and age, there really is no excuse for ignorance. When wearing something that I am aware comes from another culture, I do my research on it to make sure I won't be offending anyone. That was the thing with the bindi- I did some research on it, and apparently, even in India, it doesn't hold a lot of cultural significance anymore, so I felt all right wearing it. Even in the place it has originated from, it is now more like body decoration then religious/ethnic/marital status. Knowing that almost everyone uses it for body decoration makes me feel like it's OK if I use it for body decoration, even if I'm not a part of that culture.

With the items I have mentioned, I don't see a problem. A large part of me is saying: "These things are beautiful, and I'm wearing them because I think that they are beautiful. It's not like I'm trashing them or destroying their cultures. It's more like I'm celebrating them." There is a huge difference between wearing something from another culture to trash them and put them down, and wearing something from another culture because you want to celebrate the beauty of it. I think it should be celebrated that people are taking the time to learn about new cultures and then embracing them into Western life. Isn't that what globalization is about? Embracing and enjoying each other's cultures?

The more I think about it, the more I realize how hard it is! Is it wrong for me to wear a scarf around my head? Is it right for me to wear a bindi when I don't follow the accompanying religious strictures? What is right? Is there a right answer? I'm not sure if there is.

In conclusion, I don't see anything really wrong with rocking a piece of clothing or jewelry from another culture, as long as you do your research. Don't be ignorant, and make sure that you are not sending out inappropriate or rude messages, or that you aren't offending entire religions, etc.

I would also be really interested if someone who didn't belong to a primarily Caucasian, Protestant/Catholic group could respond to this. I know I have some readers who are from Bangladesh, and Pakistan, and I would be really interested on how you weigh in on this.

To the people who are from the cultures I have mentioned borrowing dress from- do you find it offensive?

To all others- What are your thoughts on stealing style from other cultures? Is it a personal choice? Am I being ridiculously offensive? Is it disrespectful? Is it truly a celebration of other cultures?

♥ Luinae

P.S. I have another post coming up on another topic that relates to this one- the fashion industry calling things "ethnic" and "tribal," so stay tuned!

Love and Love

2010-10-12T09:19:00.000-06:00

♥ Grapefruit body butter ♥ crisp, clean sheets ♥ Winning gold in my two hand and three hand at the Feis!!! ♥ ♥ Keeping to my 750 per day goal, and still enjoying it ♥ Playing the Sims ♥ Eating fairtrade chocolate bars ♥ Using my filofax to organize everything! ♥ Being back into blogging (helloooo) ♥ How, lately, everyone on twitter has been so responsive, and it's just been oodles of fun ♥ Trying new ways to do my makeup ♥ Planning ♥ Thanksgiving supper with my family- I love you guys so much ♥ Re-reading Harry Potter ♥ Cleaning my room ♥ Working out a lot ♥ "Sail away from the safe harbor" ♥ Top Gear- Richard Hammond for life! ♥ The latest Bones episode- "The Guido Tribe" & "See the way they move their bodies? It implies that they are available for mating." LOL ♥ Politics ♥ Heal Their Hearts & Freedom from Riverdance ♥ Feminism- the revolution will never be over

"One man’s terrorist is another man’s freedom fighter."

♥ "There is no challenge without sabotage. Usually to James car." Always to James car. ♥ Can you say British Election Debate Rap Battle? Ten times fast? ♥ Oliver ♥ Velvety red lipstick ♥ Monty Python- "What do we burn besides witches? MORE WITCHES!" ♥ ♥ Hating on Twilight ♥ Legwarmers ♥ Big, huge, fluffy, warm scarves ♥ Living deliberately ♥ "All you have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to you." ♥ Wool tights ♥ Christine O'Donnell, why are you so stupid? ♥ Planning to travel ♥ Feis, Feis, Feis ♥ That even though I may not be winning at the highest level, I know that I'm getting better at Irish Dance, and that's important. ♥ Peppermints sticks ♥ Rock Candy ♥ Thanksgiving mashed potatoes and gravy ♥ Great books like The Circle Opens

♥ Unions ♥ Protest the Pope- yeah, I went there ♥ Starting conversations with random people in the street and in shops ♥ Meringues ♥ French Onion Soup ♥ Food, actually, in all shapes and sizes. ♥ Local politics- small town politics are way more intense then you can imagine. Even if everyone just accuses each other of being Socialists- which I may add, is NOT an insult. ♥ Winning a trophy ♥ John Lennon ♥ Winning the citizenship award at school- even if half of the people who won weren't citizens. ;) ♥ ♥ All my blog friends ♥ Margaret Atwood ♥ Chocolate ♥ Kicking autumn leaves down the street ♥ Getting new style inspiration ♥ Wearing legwarmers (apparently, I didn't get the memo that the 80's was over) ♥ Ice Skating ♥ Chocolate chip muffins ♥ My blog readers

What do you love?

♥ Luinae

Learning to Plan

2010-10-11T20:52:00.001-06:00

Like most things, there is an art to getting planning down- making sure that you are being as productive as possible and doing what you can. Staying inspired, in my experience, has a great deal to do with making sure that you are on top of everything and in control. Here's how I stay organized and in control of my own life!

♥ Use your Resources
Everyone will have different tools and ideas for how to organize your life. Moleskine vs. Filofax? Pen vs. Pencil? Paper vs. Digital? I'm Filofax, pencil, and paper, if you were wondering. In any case, I'm not here to tell you what to use. I don't know how your life works. Get something that works for you, and use it.

♥ Write Everything Down
Everything. Coffee dates. Dentist appointments. Due dates. Blog posts. Date nights. Test dates. Library due dates. Everything. I'm dead serious about this one. It takes thirty days to make a habit, so I suggest that for thirty days you write down everything in your choice of planner. At the end of the month, you should be so used to writing down everything and subsequently checking in your planner for it that your planner will feel like a third leg.

♥ Do it Before-Hand
I do this all the time, and it's remarkably life changing. The concept is this: If you want to do something the next day, get it ready tonight. I spend twenty-thirty minutes every evening getting ready for tomorrow, and it makes each and everyday run smoother. For example, I am going to the library tomorrow. My library books are in a bag by the door. My dance stuff is packed and ready to go. My clothes are laid out at the foot of my bed. Even better, you can go to bed knowing that everything is taken care of.

♥ Big Rocks
The Big Rock concept is from Zen Habits, and I think it's a really key one that has a lot to do with learning to plan. What this has to do with planning is that on a Sunday evening (that's what I do, besides) you go through your planner and schedule in all the big rocks- dance classes, band classes, major projects, family dinners, etc. When you schedule these things in and get them done, you do the most important things, leaving the rest of your days for the busy, ordinary work of life.

♥ Time Limits & Devoting Energy
I do this all the time. How many times have you had this worksheet/report that should only take you an hour and a half, but you spend the whole morning on it? *guiltily raises hand* Giving yourself deadlines (and sticking to them) keeps you from procrastinating and needlessly dragging out easy tasks. Do it all day if it helps you. One hour - French worksheet. Twenty minutes - read short stories. Thirty minutes - brainstorm ideas for article. And so on.

♥ To-Do Lists
This one is fairly obvious, and everyone uses it. I'll just share how I use it. I like to group my to-dos into categories. That way, when I'm out running errands I do everything I need to, and when I'm on the computer, I do everything that needs to get done.

Computer
Do blog post on Love & Love
Check attractions for vacation
Renew library books
E-mail

Errands
Chocolate
Pick up milk for Mum
Drop off Library books

School
Do two sections of Rosetta Stone
Do segments 1-4 of math project
Read chapters 1-3 of To Kill a Mockingbird

And so on, and so on.

♥ Reward yourself!
Human beings are nothing if not predictable. I've finished all my math work? I can grab a cup of tea and browse tumblr. Clear out inbox? Catch up on some blogs. Finish my math worksheets? Do a few dances. It really makes you appreciate hard work. It also helps with the Time Limits objective.

♥ Don't complain
Stop complaining about being busy. We're all busy. It's called being an adult (or a teenager) and it means that you have roles and responsibilities. You obviously have more as an adult with bills and groceries and stuff, but teenagers have responsibilities as well. Everyone has twenty four hours a day. I spend about nine of mine sleeping, which leaves many other hours open for work to be done. And everyone gets these twenty four hours- Albert Einstein, Queen Elizabeth, Barack Obama, everyone. There is always enough time. It's called priorities.

Stuff I've Already Said - J'adore Filofax

I know it sounds like I'm some crazy organizational freak, but in truth, it's really easy once you get used to it, and it actually gives you way more time once you start employing it.

How do you stay organized?

♥ Luinae

Daily Outfit: October 9th 2010

2010-10-09T13:36:00.000-06:00

Today was a pretty standard Saturday, with nothing really going on, so this is the outfit I decided to wear. My mum and I went to Shoppers Drug Mart to pick up some new skincare stuff for me. Lately, my skin has been really oily, flaky, irritated, painful, and red, so I got some stuff without fragrance or sulfates, and all that crap. I'll let you all know if it works.

If you look closely at the above picture, you can see that I've written "Peace" & "Joy" on the chalkboard. I like having words like those around my room.

One of the things that I like to do with my outfits is wear a button or a sticker that has something to do with politics and human rights. I think it adds a nice touch to my outfits, and it tells people who are just meeting me something about me. Today, I have on a button that says "amnesty.ca" which is for Amnesty International, one of my favourite human rights groups. Wearing stuff like this is also a great conversation starter!

The cardigan, jeans, and top are all thrifted, the button is from my Students for Change group, and I don't know where my socks are from. ;)

♥ Luinae

Monthly Magic: October

2010-10-07T19:52:00.003-06:00

October, for me, is where I feel like the school year has really settled. September is a rush of new classes, homework, dance, meetings, and getting back into a routine. October is where you can wake up, potter through the day, drink lots of tea, go to all your classes, spend time with friends. This year we are actually having a proper Autumn, instead of the miserable & bleak one we had last year. It's all golden and warm and beautiful, so it's the appropriate time to think about injecting a tad more magic into my daily life.

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Magic Mission #1!

Write 750 Words daily. Writing, creativity, etc. is just like any other muscle- you have to exercise it so it gets stronger and works better. This will keep my mind in the world I work in, keep my characters in my brain, and make sure that my writing gets consistently better. You never know when inspiration will strike- there's a quote I like and it says "I don't know where ideas come from. But I know where they come to- my desk. And if I'm not there, they go away again."

Simply put, I love writing, and want to get better at it.

Magic Mission #2!

I want to live purposefully. I realized this when I was teaching some kids dance and I said: "You have to do these moves with purpose. You can't just waft through the dance and hope it turns out OK- you need to do every move with purpose, and like you mean it."

This applies to life as well. If you waft through life, just hoping it turns out OK, you'll probably finish it. But if you want your life to be amazing and dynamic and beautiful, you have to move through it with purpose. You have to mean what you say, and then you have to do it. You have to choose your words with purpose, and choose your decisions & really go through with them. Live with purpose!

Magic Mission #3!
This month, I plan on practicing yoga three times a week. This is for dance, and because I like how yoga makes me feel. I have to do low-impact exercise when not dancing for my joints, and yoga fits the bill perfectly. Yoga gives me strength and vitality, peace and joy.

Magic Mission #4!
I want to try meditation this month- I have a friend who swears by it. Just sitting down and letting the thoughts go out of my head is difficult for me, but I want to try it. A challenge is good, right? I like the feeling of losing myself in my breathing. The stillness of meditation is different from my usual go-go-go personality and attitude of how I roll. Instead of jumping from one activity to the next, I want to think about them a little bit. Be still.

What ways are you going to inject magic into your month?

♥ Luinae

P.S. Contrary to popular belief, I am not dead. Sorry about that.

Love and Love

2010-09-21T12:27:00.000-06:00

♥ Rallies ♥ Vision & Inspiration boards ♥ Rain and reading wonderful books ♥ Having a proper autumn this year, instead of the miserable one we normally get ♥ Deciding to dye a friends hair red and yellow ♥ Then shaving said friends head with designs like hearts and circles. We tried to do a lightening bolt, but it ended up really squiggly, so we merged with the a circle and it became a worm ♥ Going into Calgary at 7:30 because R. decided she needed trousers, so her sister (and my friend) W. and their mother clambered into the car ♥ Arguing about unions ♥ When we got out of the car, a homeless guy started singing at us, so we decided to join in and have an impromptu jam session on the street ♥ Going into American Apparel and trying on really crazy clothing. R. always manages to pull it off, somehow ♥ Getting coffee and discussing fairtrade & reusable clothing with the strangers sitting next to us ♥ Driving home. I couldn't stop laughing for ages. ♥ Trust me, it only sounds really weird. We didn't do anything dangerous. ♥ ♥ Watching Riverdance with my sisters ♥ Huge glasses of water

"Harry Potter is about confronting fears, finding inner strength and doing what is right in the face of adversity. Twilight is about how important it is to have a boyfriend."

♥ "Is it like having friends?" Jokes with friends are the best ♥ My filofax ♥ The culture part of my French class ♥ Practicing dance ♥ The women I teach in the adult class. "So how long have you been dancing? Do you compete internationally, or just nationally?" I said: "Oh, this is only the start of my second year." They were all amazed, and it was a really wonderful & splendid feeling ♥ ♥ Hellcats, the show about cheerleading. This is my non-guilty guilty pleasure- I don't believe in them ♥ Dear wolf, FAIL. Sincerely, the pig who built his house with bricks ♥ Telling people dance is a sport ♥ Hooping to loud music ♥ "I would rather face one lifetime with you then all the ages of the world alone." ♥ ♥ The Secret ♥ Delivery pizza ♥ Getting to know all the nice, ordinary people- the clerk at the corner store, the librarian, etc.

♥ My self-realization notebook ♥ Whitehottruth ♥ Crunchy apples ♥ Joy, bliss, happiness, love, health, myself ♥ ♥ Dance ♥ Snark & sarcasm ♥ Laughter filling up a room ♥ Beautiful and inspiring pictures ♥ Doing what makes you happy. I like talking walks, so I've been taking walks. I like hooping, so I've been hooping. It's immediately gratifying and amazing ♥ Virtual PE ♥ My french class- the teacher is absolutely amazing! You have no idea ♥ Organizing school supplies ♥ Listening to the rain ♥ Dear yahoo, it's so cute how you keep trying. Sincerely, google. ♥ Libraries ♥ Perfecting blog posts over lunches of aged cheese & whole grain bread ♥ ♥ that purple-blue color ♥ Wearing bright eyeshadow all over the lid and a light color in the crease ♥ Clear skin for the win!! ♥ Purple lipstick and purple lipgloss ♥ Hooping your heart out ♥ Using Silmarillion quotes in everyday conversation ♥ You

♥ Luinae

new, clean words

2010-09-20T16:53:00.002-06:00

"Words are a heavy thing…they weigh you down. If birds talked, they couldn’t fly."

I think that words are so immensely powerful, so rich and wonderful. That's why instead of writing complicated, full of too much stuff manifestos, I've chosen to choose some wonderful new, clean, fresh words for the new school year. These simple words really resonate deep within me. When I hear then, I want to sit up straighter and stir to action. They may not do the same the same to you, but I love them!

passion, innovate, create, genuine

♥ Passion
Strong, zeal, devotion, affection, animation, love, eagerness, intensity, joy, zest, feeling, excitement, outburst, rapture, storm, warmth, adoration, spirit, drive, enthusiasm, obsession, hope, initiative, longing, thirst, oomph, yearning, hunger, dash, action, vivacity, life, sparkle, vitality.

Passion is such a beautiful word. It connotes so much stuff for me. Passion for love. Passion for dance. Passion for life. Passion for friends. It's a beautiful word, and I think it describes me. It stirs a desire to do something in me, and I think the most important thing is that a word should stir you to want or to do something. That's the language speaking to you.

♥ Innovate & Create
Usher in, bring, launch, make, spark, create, initiate, invent, plan, set up, start, admit, enter, found, establish, cause, change, produce, institute, evolve, compose, choreograph, spawn, think, beget, build, design, devise, discover, originate, start, perform, fashion, forge, fire, give life, commence, instigate, pioneer, begin.

Creation and innovation are everything. To me, they are the spark that makes my life interesting. And coupled with passion, there is nothing that can stop you. If you can create with passion, you can create so much and do everything so much more and better. These words make me think. They make the cogs in my brain whir and twirl and think of ideas.

♥ Genuine
Honest, pure, bright, clear, authentic, transparent, true, plain, real, simple, flawless, complete, natural, neat, radiant, open, sincere, trust, reliable, sure, actual, good, original, positive, valid, whole, proved, candid, heartfelt, bleeds, free.

If you aren't genuine, nothing you do will be worth it to you. Being genuine is key. It's about sticking to your decisions and what you believe in. It's about loving who you are and shining through the dirt and mud. It's about authenticity, not making apologies, and doing stupid things, then learning from them. This one is the hardest. It hurts the most. It's worth the most.

What words really ring clear and true with you? What words stir you to do something?

♥ Luinae

Autumn 2010 Soundtrack

2010-09-15T15:25:00.001-06:00

Autumn is coming, and fast if you live in the North like I do! Reading posts like these have made me excited for it, and I think that this Autumn 2010 needs a soundtrack. While all of life needs a soundtrack, this autumn needs a special one!

School makes me love music even more then usual- it's such a teenage thing, everyone walking along listening to Ipods. But really, music is so incredibly & remarkably powerful! Here are the songs that I'll be playing over and over again.

Soundtrack

"God is a DJ" Pink
If God is a DJ
Life is a dance floor
Love is the rhythm
You are the music

"Somebody to Love" Anne Hathaway
Ain't gonna face no defeat
I just gotta get out of this prison cell
One day I'm gonna be free

"Harder Better Faster Stronger" Daft Punk
Work it harder, Make it better
Do it faster, make us stronger
More then ever hour after
Our work is never over

"Dynamite" Taio Cruz
I throw my hands up in the air sometimes
Sayin AYO
Gotta let go
I want to celebrate and live my life

"Change my World" Maire Brennan
If it's true how will I agree
What the poets say of history?
Search the ashes of time to change my world

"Magic" B.o.b ft. Rivers Cuomo
I've got the magic in me
Every time I touch that track it turns to gold
Everybody knows I've got the magic in me

"Jungle Drum" Emiliana Torrini
My heart is beating like a jungle drum
Hey, I can't stop my feet
Ebony and ivory, and dancing in the streets

"Where is the Love" Black Eyed Peas
People killing people, dying
Children hurting, you hear them crying
Can you practice what you preach?
Would you turn the other cheek?

"Tightrope" Janelle Monae
Some people talk about ya
Like they know all about ya
When you get down the doubt ya,
and when you dip it on the scene

"Caribbean Blue" Enya
If all you told was turned to gold.
If all you dreamed was new
Imagine sky high above in Caribbean blue

"Not Afraid" Eminem (Clean)
I'm not afraid to take a stand
Everybody come take my hand
We'll walk this road together, through the storm
Whatever weather, cold or warm

I realize I have pretty eclectic music tastes- rap to ambient, to pop to celtic. I like what I like, what can I say? This is just what I'm listening to. What's been floating you boat?

♥ Luinae

Lazy Links

2010-09-14T16:25:00.002-06:00

I wasn't even lazy today, but whatever. These links are still good!

♥ September is truly a magical time of the year!

♥ Today we start living, from Shimmer Like Gold

♥ Don't get in a rut: Refurbish your Routine

♥ How to Review an Album is useful, if you want to do something like that on your blog.

♥ Dress like Mulan! This is one of the few Disney movies I've actually seen.

♥ Worrying isn't all bad, as long as you Worry about the Right Things.

♥ Savor

♥ Do you need internal or external approval? I need internal, myself.

♥ Be a rebel! Break these life rules!

♥ Luinae

Love and Love

2010-09-14T16:17:00.000-06:00

♥ My mother. I love her all the time, but I want to give her a special shoutout today. You rock! ♥ The Riverdance documentary ♥ Tamora Pierce Books ♥ toblerone bars ♥ My filofax- yes, this will never get old. I love working from it. ♥ Hell yeah. "Dude, you have no Quran." ♥ Wool tights ♥ Debate ♥ Before I leave, brush my teeth, with my bags all packed ♥ the mini pop kids. there are no words. ♥ Greetings loved ones. Lets take a journey. ♥ Hot tea ♥ Tamora Pierce debates ♥ Virtual school classes ♥ Using a nice purple highlighter, making science more enjoyable ♥ ♥ Lord of the Rings (the books for pete's sake, not the movie where everyone got their lines jipped) ♥ finishing work before you have to ♥ Shannon Hale books ♥ Lots of nice, fresh water

"The dictionary is the only place where success comes before work."

♥ Feeling really sore from dance, but it's a good sore that lets me know that I've been working ♥ Daine + Numair, Aly + Nawat, Eowyn + Faramir, Galadriel + Celeborn, ♥ ♥ Cute people ♥ Having people treat me nicely ♥ A friend's birthday party ♥ Not Afraid ♥ We had a bouncy castle, and jammed to mini pop kids. Obviously. ♥ Feeling in control of my life. It's a good feeling. ♥ Watching Riverdance with my mother ♥ Walking in the rain ♥ Eating breakfast with my family ♥ Wicked Lovely ♥ ♥ The nice old people at my library (who know almost everything about me. Yeah. I spend a lot of time there.) ♥ Flash Dance lip gloss- the perfect colour ♥ People who aren't afraid to stand up for what they believe in.

♥ Writing lots and lots of fiction ♥ Having lots of ideas that I look forward to developing ♥ Grapefruit body butter ♥ Ice cream cake ♥ chatting about politics with friends ♥ chocolate ♥ Doing Michel Flatley imitations in dance class with a friend. Could we have more fun? That's what I thought. ♥ ♥ Room lanterns ♥ Hooping to pop music ♥ Having fun doing and being me. ♥ Lip balm. ♥ Purple binders & brand new textbooks ♥ Hard candy ♥ Tea ♥ Figure dancing: I'm doing a two hand and a three hand, and a six hand for shows ♥ Writing letters.

What do you love this week?

♥ Luinae

Concept: Designing your own Life

2010-09-11T20:03:00.001-06:00

I am a firm believe in the idea that you have complete, 100% control over your own life. That, in essence, you design it. How does that work? Well, my little magic workers, allow me to explain!

Many people say/believe that life is a canvas and that you are the painter. I don't think life is a canvas- I, for one, am a terrible painter. Never really got past the stick figure stage.

I believe that is you want your life to be a canvas, it can be, making you the painter. What if you want your life to be fabric and a mannequin? Or a blank piece of paper? Or a dance floor? The first thing to realize in creating your own life is that you choose what to create.

My life is a dance floor. I am the choreographer, the DJ, the producer, the costume designer, the mixologist, the stage hand, & the dancer. I choose the music. I design and select the costumes. I choose the steps, I practice them, I perform them.

"Muscles grow when you tear them & rebuild themselves stronger. If you get through this, your heart may grow out of your chest."

What's the rub? Of course, everything has a catch. The catch here is that you can't have control over anything else but your own dance floor, your own dance, your own music.

I will never be able to control what the weather is like over my dance floor, what people think of it, who comes by while I'm dancing, what opportunities are offered to me, who thinks I'm terrible, and who thinks I'm amazing. All I control is what I put out, and what I bring.

My proposal to you is not to all of a sudden have a million great plans for your own dance floor, the pieces you want to perform, the costumes, the back up crew.

Your mission, if you choose to accept it (and you will!) is to take complete control and responsibility of the dance floor. If you mess up a dance, and fall over, take responsibility for it. When you completely nail it, take responsibility for it. But if someone throws rotten fruit at you, realize you can't control it and move on!

Will you accept that you can design your life? What do you think of the comcept?

♥ Luinae

J'adore Filofax

2010-09-09T17:25:00.001-06:00

Finally, I've managed to get this post up! I first became intrigued with the idea when Gala Darling posted about it, but it became more firmly implanted in my mind when The Glamorous Grad Student wrote about it. I love Gala Darling as much as the next person, but A. is a lot more real and personable and I feel like I can relate more to her ideas, organization, etc. By this time, I was almost set on it, so I started thinking & plotting & planning what I could do with one.

The thing that I like most about filofax, now that I have used the system for a while, is the fact that you can customize it as much as you like. Whatever you need, in your life, for your unique tastes and aesthetic, you can have it! Having that control is really quite nice. The other thing I like is that you can have everything contained in one place! Now I use my filofax, another notebook for personal stuff, self exploration and the like, and another one for whatever strikes my fancy. It's great! Much less clutter.

So without further chit-chat (or typing), here is how I use and organize my filofax!

The filofax I chose to use is a personal domino in pink. I chose pink because it matched my room (the walls are yellow), and I am very particular about everything matching my room. I like the strap around it, and the contrasting interior. It was also one of the less expensive things, which I love.

In the front I have my library card (I know, if my life was more exciting I'd fall over) and then a clear jacket. So far, it only has a quote in it that says: Follow your dreams, because you wouldn't want it so bad if you couldn't have it. The universe gives you these dreams because you can have them. If you're willing to work for it, you can have anything you want. After that, I have my very exciting to-do list. Another great thing about filofax is that I don't have to keep old to-do lists hanging around. It keeps everything from being too cluttered.

After the to-do lists, I have a fold out year planner that I use for planning blog posts- the calender on my wall is for travel, feisanna, etc. This one is specifically for blogging, and it works really well. I like staying ahead, in control, and on top of things and this helps.

After that, I have week on two pages, which is the size I'm used to, as all school agendas are that format. I use this to plan out daily things that are dependent on being done that day (Like slurpees. Priorities.) In my filofax at the moment, I have the entire school year because I like to be able to plan out the school year- exams, projects, band concerts and the like.

After that is a section divided by sticky notes, followed by a world map. The first section, an orange "M" is a list of media I would like to consume. Movies I want to watch, books to read, music to download. I use this because so often I am on the go and I come across a book/movie I'd like to read/watch but I forget all about it. The second section, a pink heart, is a gratitude list of things that make me smile- they often turn up in Love & Love.

The third section, a yellow star, is a wishlist of things- there is only a few things on it right now. The next section, a green thought bubble, is a list of things to manifest. I try to read this whenever I have some free time in line or whatever. The last section is the blue "blog" section where I write down ideas I have for blog posts, and other stuff relating to More Magic Always.

After that, I have all the info stuff (EU members! UK shoe charts! Weight & measures!) in the back. I just like to have it with me, in case something comes up. What will come up that will need me to recite international holidays, I have no idea. Always be prepared. ;)

I use a pencil, instead of a pen because I like to erase things, and I always smudge pens because I'm left handed. The one above is made of recycled newspaper.

At the back, I have my timetable so I can easily flip to it, and a pocket with my school district's miniature calender in it. The loop holds my pencil.

Would you ever use a filofax? What do you think of how I've organized mine? How do you organize your life?

♥ Luinae

Love and Love

2010-09-07T10:05:00.000-06:00

♥ French Onion Soup ♥ Filofaxery ♥ Politics ♥ Writing lots & lots in my story, I feel like it's going really well ♥ Being really organized ♥ That the weather is getting cooler- wool scarves, boots, and thick tights, here we come!! ♥ ♥ Dance starts today! ♥ Did I mention dance starts today? ♥ Maire Brennan music ♥ Making DIY tinted lip balm- hell, it was so much fun! I felt like some sort of crazy mad scientist ♥ Naming said tinted lip balm- Do you want to wear a lip balm called Aredhel? (Yeah, let's guess which book that came from) ♥ My mother: "I'm going to spend all my money doing fun stuff when I'm old, so you won't have an inheritance." ♥ ♥ WAFFLES

"You have chosen the Evening, but my love is given to the Morning. And my heart forebodes that soon it will pass away forever."

♥ Red noses & cheeks ♥ Lip balm on chapped lips ♥ The leaves are starting to change colour! ♥ Writing wishlists ♥ Jackets, scarves, beautiful Autumn coats from thrift stores ♥ New kinds of music ♥ Deciding to make a dance documentary for one of my projects ♥ the fact that my style bible is full of pictures of Riverdance costumes ♥ Watching Riverdance with the family ♥ That volunteering starts again soon- I really miss it ♥ Meditation is the bomb, seriously. Although I'm not very good at it. ♥ Getting more flexible ♥ Skipping places and getting parcels in the mail! ♥ ♥ The Weekenders! I forgot how amazing that cartoon was- they make really sophisticated references. Take this gem of a quote: "If a game doesn't have rules, then it's not a game is it?" "No. It's politics!" ♥ Sarcasm

♥ See: above ♥ Dancing- have I already mentioned that? Yeah, well I love it that much! ♥ Cerulean blue cardigans ♥ The Body Shop's "Pink Grapefruit Body Butter." Rarely do I like a scent so much. And my hands/legs/feet are super smooth ♥ Big glasses of water ♥ Making plans to go to Disneyworld in October!!!! ♥ ♥ Making maps of fictional places ♥ Snuggling under big blankets now that it's getting cooler ♥ "If God is a DJ, life is a dance floor" ♥ Archiving and clearing out the inbox- it is a fabulous, fabulous feeling ♥ This song ♥ Photographing my Filofax for a fun post ♥ Designing your life ♥ Autumn making my skin turn nice and smooth again ♥ Long walks ♥ Great quotes

What do you love this week?

♥ Luinae

Beauty DIY: Tinted Lip Balm

2010-09-06T17:11:00.002-06:00

Earlier today, I posted on twitter that I was making my own tinted lip balm, and I had a few people request that I post the recipe, so I thought I would give a little tutorial on how to make your own tinted lip balm. It's amazingly simple, and it uses ingredients that most people should be able to scrounge up around the house.

Tools

♥ A hair dryer
♥ Empty pot or lip balm container
♥ Slightly damp wash cloth
♥ Vaseline or other lip balm- make sure it is colorless, or this won't work.
♥ Place mat, counter, or paper
♥ Butter knife
♥ Toothpick
♥ Something to tint your lip balm! I used old, lip-safe mineral pigment samples to do this experiment, and some lip safe blushes. If you want to use an eyeshadow/blush and it's already pressed, just scrape some off the top with a butter knife or note card. Don't think you can only use reds and pinks- I plan on using some purples and oranges. As well (although not pictured) if you use a foundation a shade or two too light for your skin tone, it makes the perfect nude balm/gloss.

Procedure

Step 1- Using a butter knife, place your Vaseline into a container. Try to use the knife or the toothpick to scrape it away from the sides so when it melts, it won't bubble up over the edges. Put it on your paper/place mat because some of it WILL spill.

Step 2- Hold the hair dryer about 4-5 inches away from the Vaseline and turn it on. You should see that the Vaseline will begin to melt. You want it to be pretty much liquid, but if you can't get it all the way there, don't worry. It will still turn out fine.

Step 3- Pour in the pigment you want to use. You will probably need more then you think you do- I know I did! If you just want to give your balm a color (you know, for fun) instead of a tint, just use a pinch or two or the pigments/dust/whatever. It's totally o.k, and more fun if you mix pigments. The one in this demonstration used five different colors!

Step 4- Mix in the pigments using your toothpick. Stir carefully, and make sure there are no visible pigments particles floating around. If it looks too dark, add a little more Vaseline. If it looks too light, add a little more pigment. Be careful it doesn't over flow.

Step 5- Quickly blast your little mixture again once everything is in. This ensures that the particles/pigments properly mesh with the Vaseline and that the finished lip balm will have a nice, smooth surface.

Step 6- Wipe off your container with a wash cloth. It's probably gotten a little messy, and you want to have a nice clean container when you whip it out of your purse, don't you?

Step 7- Lay on a flat surface to dry for at least half an hour. When your finished, screw the cap on, test out your color and you're good to go! Also, if you test your color and don't like it, you can always re-melt it and add more base/pigment to make it what you like.

Below is the one I just made, and one I made earlier. I feel like one of those obnoxious cooking shows where they're like: "Here is a cake I conveniently made earlier, all ready to go!"

I hope you all enjoyed this little tutorial as much as I had a blast making it! It's a great way to have fun on an Autumn day, feel a little bit like a mad scientist, get a self satisfied feeling because you can do it just as well as all those cosmetic companies, and have a perfect lip color, all customized for you!

♥ Luinae

Speak It!

2010-09-06T05:24:00.010-06:00

A collection of some of my very favourite quotes and pictures, as of late!

"Never underestimate the power of passion."

"Out of the dark we came, out of the sea. Where the long wave broke upon the shore. As the day broke, and the night rolled back, there we stood on the land we would call home. Out of the dark we came, out of the night, the first of many mornings in this new place. When the sun rolled back the mist, we rose like a strong wave on land. Now we were the people of this place."

"The time of the elves is over. Do we leave Middle-Earth to its fate? Do we let them stand alone?"

"In a time of fear, the One Who I Promised will come to the raka, beating glory to her train and justice in her hand. She will restore the god to his proper temple and his children to her right hand. She will be twice royal, wise and beloved, a living emblem of truth to her people. She will be attended by a wise one, the cunning one, the strong one, the warrior, and the crows. She will give a home to all, and the kudarung will fly in her honor."

"The Lower City is MINE, Its People are MINE. If I find them that’s doing all this kidnapping and murdering, they’d best pray for mercy, because once I get my teeth in ‘em I will NEVER let them go."

What's inspired you lately?

♥ Luinae

P.S. Quotes are from Eve Sawyer, Riverdance, Lord of the Rings, & the last two are Tamora Pierce

Lazy Links

2010-09-05T15:26:00.001-06:00

Hey everyone! I hope you're enjoying the "new" More Magic Always- I'm certainly enjoying writing it. Comments have dropped, but I expected that. I'm compiling this Lazy Links list while sipping on a cup of tea and reclining against some cushions. Life is good.

♥ Women adore Women gives me a lot of hope for humanity, and the future.
♥ Learning to be happy with what you have to be happy with, from Frock and Roll. Say that five times fast!
♥ Positively Present shares 10 Ways to Communicate Effectively
♥ I like my life like I like my pasta- Stir Occasionally. This is so true & really amazingly written!
♥ Because School is Cool- Sarah Von shares back to school stationary, outfits, tips, and all sorts of exciting jazz!
♥ If you're into natural beauty, you may want to check out these Herbal Hair Rinse Recipes
♥ Life your Life on Purpose- this posts needs some serious thought, tea, and dream planning.
♥ How to Apprecia te Rain- I love rain, and I love this post.
♥ I did a job profile on my job as an Assistant Irish Dance Teacher & Show Dancer, in case you've ever wanted to know more about my job!

♥ Luinae

Getting Rid of Writer's Block 101

2010-09-04T06:25:00.001-06:00

I have to admit that I am actually slightly terrified of Writer's Block. What? It's a legitimate fear. I've learned that writer's block means different things for different people, but mine takes a form somewhat like this: I can have a great idea, but when I have writer's block I write like "One day there was a girl. Her name was......" Writer's block stems from a variety of things- feeling bored with whatever you're writing, uninspired, drained from writing, just plain tired.

♥ Stop
Yes, I'm dead serious. Sometimes you just need an off day. Or an off hour. I like to jump out of my chair and do Irish/Hoop dance, make myself a cup of tea while chatting with my mother, work on something else, do some gentle stretching, etc. Whatever you do, don't get burned out. Getting burned out is *shudder* the death of us creative folk.

♥ Questions
Ask yourself the questions that your readers will want to know, and then try to answer them in your writing. I was working on my fiction piece, and the questions looked like this: What does she feel like? What's her gut feeling? What does it smell like? What is the main feeling of this scene? Questions like that give you a purpose and a broader look at your writing, which helps you to focus. It also gives your writing a new twist.

♥ Write something else
This is a pretty common tip, but it works. You don't even have to make a drastic switch, especially if you want to stay in the "zone." I often find that just switching to a different character is great to freshen up- characters are people too, and they have different personalities and ways of looking at things!

♥ Write everywhere. Write all the time.
If the only time you give yourself to work is between 3:45 and 4:30 Monday-Friday, your work will not be at it's best. Brains don't understand that- they have good ideas whenever and wherever. Like the middle of math class. Write as much as possible, and you'll find writer's block is way less common. That's because you get the ideas out of your head when they are fresh and new, and great, new stuff can come in and surprise you!

♥ Move
There is some interesting & compelling research that says our brains work better and process information while we move. Hooping is my personal recommendation because it's moving, but it's not so hard that you can't focus on ideas, characters, etc.

♥ Inspiration Station
There has to be a way to get you inspired again. Watch your favourite shows on youtube, browse through pretty pictures on tumblr, read over all of your favourite quotes. Watch dance shows, paint your nails bright colors, read other blogs, watch movies, organize your office, look at stationary, window shop online. I don't care, as long as it makes your brain cogs start whirling & twirling.

♥ Read words you know are GOOD
I like to read Tolkien or Tamora Pierce, listen to the stanzas from Riverdance, listen to Nightwish & Emilie Autumn music, and read a few choice blogs. I know that these words rock, and are fantastic, so I let all their good-ness and awesome-ness soak into me, and then I can go!

♥ Write. Write badly. Write with tons of adverbs. Have your characters recite the pledge of allegiance. Multiple times. Just write.
Sometimes just getting the words down on paper is more important then how good the words are. It is a million times easier to edit a poorly written page with awful prose then it is to edit a page with no words at all. Just saying.

♥ Talk it, then type it
Basically, talk out loud while you type. This is gold for fiction writers because we can see how people will actually talk. Does it convey the right message? Is it passionate/angry/worried sounding enough? Do people really talk like that? Plus, most people find it easier to talk then write. Harness that, and use it to your advantage.

♥ Time Limits
If writing another paragraph of, say, a Social Studies essay, makes you want to launch yourself out the nearest window, consider a time limit. Tell yourself "All right, if I work on this essay for half an hour with no distractions, I can catch up on tumblr." Or whatever variant works for you. The point is that once the end is in sight, and it's definite, things become a lot easier.

♥ Write or Die
This program saved my butt during NaNoWriMo. Basically, if you won't write, there are serious consequences. I use Kamikaze mode, which deletes your writing slowly but surely if you stop writing for a certain period of time. Normal mode plays annoying songs like "Peanut butter jelly time" which doesn't work for me because I am more likely to start dancing and singing along then writing. Ahem.

Seriously though, check this program out! It rocks.

♥ Mediums
If you normally type on the computer, try using good, old fashioned pen and paper, or a typewriter. The different flow of pace from one to the other can be wonderfully refreshing and beneficial to the brain.

How do you beat the dreader writer's block?

♥ Luinae

Your Life Soundtrack

2010-09-03T11:37:00.001-06:00

I came across this idea over here, and I decided that I absolutely had to do it! It's amazing, so creative and marvelous. Basically, you choose all the songs that would make a perfect soundtrack for your life. Feel free to fill it out in the comments or on your own blogs!

Opening Credits: Reel Around the Sun - Bill Whelan
Waking Up: To the Fairies they Draw Near - Loreena Mckennitt
First Kiss: Jungle Drum - Emiliana Torrini
Falling in Love: You Raise me Up - Celtic Woman
Heartbreak: Swallow - Emilie Autumn
Having fun with friends: Harder Better Faster Stronger - Daft Punk
Getting ready to go out: Tightrope - Janelle Monae
Dancing at a club: Everybody Dance Now - C & C Music Factory
Flirting: Somebody to Love - Anne Hathaway
Feeling Good: Dynamite - Taio Cruz
Walking alone in the rain: Into the West - Annie Lennox
Missing someone: Houses of Healing - Liv Tyler
Playing in the ocean: Orinoco Flow - Celtic Woman
Autumn: Takhisis Dance - Dargaard
Fighting with someone: Stars look Down - Billy Elliot
Writing: Lothlorien - Enya
Introspection: Athair ar Neamh - Enya
Feeling depressed: Mystics Dream - Loreena McKennitt
Feeling betrayed: Here Comes the King - X-Ray Dog
Love of your life: Stolen Kiss - Ronan Hardiman
Quiet moments in life: Celtic Dream - Ronan Hardiman
Nostalgia: Glosoli- Sigur Ros
Closing Credits: Caledonia- Celtic Woman

Remember to fill it out below!

♥ Luinae

Daily Outfit: September 3rd 2010

2010-09-03T06:36:00.002-06:00

This is an outfit I wore to my first "real" band class of 2010. Where we didn't actually play music, because my band teacher wasn't there. So we had to watch the movie Band Slam.

Mini movie review! It's terrible. Don't watch it.

No joke, some friends and I spent the whole half of the movie we watched poking fun at it- what are friends for? There's a bunch of great lines like: "Maybe we could not have friends together." The last statement is an accurate representation of the decline of civilization. :p Anyway, I liked the outfit a lot, actually.

This, believe it or not, is a good hair day. I love my hair for being dark and wavy, but there is so much of it. Seriously. That hair you see is with products and everything. Also, who loves my moon tan?!?!?

♥ Teal 3/4 length top from H&M
♥ Skirt from goodness knows where, thrifted
♥ Pearl bracelet as a gift from my Aunt
♥ And black flats that were also thrifted- brand new, price tag and all.

I plan on going to the Mall today with my mother, and while she buys baby clothes for the foster baby, I'm going to eat frozen yogurt. And wander around the Body Shop. Classes need to start soon!

♥ Luinae

Honing a Talent

2010-09-02T06:41:00.001-06:00

Talent, at least in some part, is something that we are naturally good at. However, there does become a point where talent stops and hard work kicks in. If you have a talent, don't let it go to waste. Don't let your talent peter out and die because you wouldn't put in the work to take it to the next level.

Everyone has a talent. But far, far too often, we think that talent can take us to where we need or want to go. Being talented at, say, dance is one thing. Having the determination and grit to stick it out through the pulled muscles and blood, the sweat and grit, the long nights of practice and the years of classes is quite another. So how do you go about honing a talent?

If you are talented at something from a young age, you don't need to work or improve because from your point of view, and in your own world, you are already one of the very best. When you first meet someone who is better then you (and I mean way better then you) it is like having a bucket of ice cold water dumped on your head. You worry. You fret. You begin to think that you are useless. This is where honing your talent comes in.

Think of the person/people who are way better then you. They probably (but not always) had a natural talent to begin with. And then they practiced. They did it a lot. This is where people with natural talent often fail. They assume that because XYZ is better then them, they always will be. This is where the people who really want & deserve it come in. Instead of packing up and leaving, they say this: "I can do that to. I'm already pretty good. I just have to practice and work hard at it, and then I can get better and better." They try. They work at it. They improve.

Trying to be incredible may not make you incredible. But it will make you a hell of a lot better then you started out.

The result of talent + hard work is incredible! It is amazing. These people work harder, dance better, run faster, think smarter. In our hearts, we know that what really sets them apart is hard work on top of talent. The bad news of watching really, truly amazing people is that they probably already have talent. The good news is that you have your own talents, ones that can help you get so far in life you probably can't even imagine it, sitting on your computer, reading my blog.

Action

This is one of my favourite words- you have to use action to hone your talents!

Discover your talents. First off, what are your talents? I recommend a self exploration notebook, a block of time, and a cup of tea. In any case, think of the things in your life that you have always had a knack for. I find that the best place to look for them is in your childhood. This is because children use their talents all the time, without noticing it. As a child, my talents were a natural grace and a vivid imagination. When I was two, I would gather my parents to tell them stories. My mum says she couldn't believe the names, places, etc. that I made up.

Second, decide what your talents are applicable to. Grace & imagination are talents, not skills. What do they translate to? Having a vivid imagination helps me greatly with writing fiction. That is where my talent comes in handy- in writing fiction. Writing fiction is not a talent- there are too many facets. You could have a great imagination, a poetic sense, naturally great grammar and spelling, etc. The easiest way to put this is: Talents are applicable to a skill. Talents help you learn and work on a skill.

Third, you need to make an action plan, or a list of ways to hone, or work on the talents & its related skill. An action plan for honing your natural talents at imagining people and places, and subsequently, writing fiction, would look like this:
1. Practice writing everyday- novel, short stories, or poetry
2. Read books about technique, flow, structure, etc.
3. Take it seriously. Treat writing and working on characters like you would any other academic pursuit.
4. Read great writers who were also known for imaging things. Take inspiration from them.
5. Do "free pages." Or pages where you just write whatever comes to mind. It's great for freeing your mind, and it's really creative.

Summary

♥ Push harder. Always, and all the time. Try harder and do better.
♥ Hard work and goals that require that work- talents will help get you there. Hard work will get you the rest of the way.
♥ Treat each dance, each word, each painting like a masterpiece waiting to happen.
♥ There will always be people who are better or worse then you. Well, guess what? No matter what you do, whether they are better or worse doesn't really affect your work.
♥ Do it more. Do it better. Do it smarter.

How do you hone your talents?

♥ Luinae

Individuality: How To

2010-09-01T11:43:00.001-06:00

I got into an argument with my principal over this (Oh, hush. If you knew me in real life, it wouldn't be that surprising. :p) which led to more thinking on the matter.

Basically, my principal argued that there is so such thing as a true individual. He used the example that there are about three kids in my school with blue hair, and that they try to be individual, but they always fit in somewhere. His argument is that no matter what you do, it will always be the same as someone else.

My argument is that it is not the individual acts themselves, but rather an accumulation of everything that we are- our likes, dislikes, hobbies, passions, friends, life experience, etc. You would be hard pressed to find another 15 year old blogger who has lived in four countries, is an Irish Dancer, runs Human Rights campaigns, is politically active, dislikes capitalism, likes to read Tolkien & Tamora Pierce, and has green eyes. There are other people who have green eyes, are 15 years old, Irish Dance, etc. but it is not the individual acts themselves that makes me who I am. It is the cumulation of everything I've loved and experienced that makes me who I am.

Another point I would like to make: There is NOTHING wrong with everything mainstream. I rather unashamedly love the song Dynamite. The only thing that is wrong is accepting everything they tell you without question and not bothering to really identify what it is that you love and enjoy. That's not fair to the wonderful person you could be.

My guide to individuality is about as simple as it gets: Do what makes you happy!*

*- As long as it's legal. Just sayin'.

Do you want to crochet? Crochet. Do you want to make bread? Make bread. Do you want to fix cars? Fix cars. Do you want to watch horror movies while painting your nails? Watch horror movies & paint your nails. It really is that simple.

Some things I love and enjoy are very mainstream- listening to music, getting slurpies with friends, watching youtube videos. Other things I enjoy are not- writing fiction, reading the Silmarillion, Irish dancing. But all of those things make me happy- and combining them makes Luinae, well, Luinae.

Don't worry about whether your decisions are "mainstream" or "offbeat," worry about whether they make you happy or not. The most individual thing of all is not being afraid to like, do, and rock what you want to like, do, and rock. Do what you want instead of what you "should" do. Be you. Every inch of yourself. Rock it. Own it.

What do you think? Is there any such thing as true individuality?

♥ Luinae

Love and Love

2010-08-31T15:19:00.000-06:00

♥ Dear America, you produced Miley Cyrus. Beiber is your punishment. Sincerely, Canada. ♥ ♥ Making soft pretzels ♥ Renewing my library membership- book delicious coming my way! ♥ Food. So many of my loves involve food. Why? I don't know. ♥ "She was upset, Aunt. There was blood running in the gutters." ♥ Tumblr ♥ Breaking in hard shoes & new practice areas ♥ Rain ♥ Tea. Always tea. Tea is divine. ♥ "I think you have a career in dance, seriously." ♥ Top Gear. I always want to tweet Top Gear Quotes. "Being a trucker is a hard job. It's like change gear, change gear, change gear, mirror check, change gear, change gear, murder a prostitute, change gear, change gear."

"Labels are for filing. Labels are for clothing. Labels are not for people."

♥ This video and it's awesome Irish Dance techno beats kick ass aura ♥ Filling out the lists on my Yes and Yes calender ♥ Many colored highlighters ♥ Pretty mauve lip gloss ♥ Cooler weather on the way ♥ Using my Filofax (post coming soon, I promise) ♥ Making a change, and feeling good about it ♥ "You cannot fix a pane of shatter glass." ♥ NaNo anticipation! ♥ Globes ♥ "Did you grow?" "I'm a child, children grow." "Yeah, but I don't think of you as a child. I think of you as a 30 year old woman." ♥ Mists of Avalon (the book and the movie) ♥ Riverdance, the book. And the dvd. Always & forever.

♥ That picture. It is perfect on more then one level. ♥ Slurpies (see, more food!) ♥ Crazy curly hair. ♥ "Dear church, please get over it. We broke up a long time ago. Sincerely, state." ♥ New blog templates ♥ Going to dance tonight to help out ♥ Filofax love ♥ Changing the focus of my blog and feeling really good about ♥ ♥ My school/book bag which is made out of recycled material and features a pink bicycle that says "Pedal Power!" ♥ Terrier by Tamora Pierce- "I am Queen Bitch here, and you will muzzle yourself." ♥ Packages in the mail. ♥ The first day of school! ♥ My band class. Such a group of people you will never meet. ♥ Lying on the grass at lunch. ♥ Homemade chocolate chip cookies right out of the oven.

What do you love this week?

♥ Luinae

Back-to-School

2010-08-30T18:36:00.001-06:00

Today is technically the last day of summer. Tomorrow I will wake up, bright eyed and bushy tailed, ready to fight my way back into the swamp that is high school. I've labelled binder dividers, submitted registration information, sharpened pencils, inhaled the smell of my new planner, and packed my bag for tomorrow.

This summer has been fantastic- crazy and wild and all together kind of nutty. Tomorrow I'll wake up at 7:30 AM, pull on a specially picked back to school outfit (my sisters helped me choose) and get ready to rock my 10th grade school year.

I also figured that I would explain what exactly I'm doing for school this year- there seems to be some questions about it. I will be enrolled in my former high school as a student, which is nice because it allows me access to school dances and that genre of stuff. I will still be taking band at my former high school, because it's impossible to do in a virtual setting & all of my friends are in band, barring a few that aren't even in my year/are from dance. However, the majority of my classes will be in virtual school. This is for a number of reasons: complete control over when & where I do my school work; less time wasted in class; more classes available; I can work at my own pace; no bullying and harassment; and I feel like I am way more in control of my own life. This is important to me.

For the Autumn/Winter term, I will be taking: Art History 11, Math 10-C, Science 10, Social Studies 10-1, CALM (Career and Life Management), and PE 10.

For extracurricular activities, I plan on blogging (DUH), doing Irish Dance (but of course), Students 4 Change, and Volunteering. I don't want to do too much and get burned out. That's just the right amount for me.

While we're doing general housekeeping, I want to talk about this blog. For a little while, I even considered closing it down. I'd lost a lot of my passion and love for it, and wanted to do something really better with my time. However, I decided I just couldn't. It would kill me. Barring that, there are about to be some major changes.

This blog will now be mainly about lifestyle & productivity, ways to live your life with more magic and wonder, but ideas to implement it. I won't get rid of style and beauty forever, but I plan on doing less of it. I want to keep doing my immensely popular "Dressing Like....." posts (Harry Potter Houses, Fairytales, the Valier) and some beauty ideas, but it will be more about sustainable fashion and organic beauty then ever before.

Here's the rub: I'm passionate about people living their lives better, one day at a time. I love people who have it all together, people who are productive and happy. I adore politics and fairtrade and sustainable fashion. If you aren't interested, I get it, and if you leave I won't be mad. But I have to stay true to me. That's the truth. It won't be turning into a politics blog anytime soon, but it's going to be me. That's just how I roll.

♥ Luinae

Lazy Links

2010-08-29T12:51:00.001-06:00

♥ Must haves for dorm or room organization
♥ Keiko Lynn shares a subtlety sexy look for her Makeup Monday called: Here, kitty kitty
♥ From Zan Habits, How to Summit Life's Everyday Mountains
♥ 7 Things I Miss from College is really nostalgic and sweet
♥ A fashion ad that covers people's faces- very cute and orginal!
♥ Angie asks an important question: What makes an outfit flattering?
♥ Are you proactive or reactive? I'm reactive, which is something I could work on.
♥ How does she do it? has some great advice and stuff I can relate to.

♥ Luinae

Last Weekend of Summer: Creative to-do list

2010-08-27T16:06:00.001-06:00

Today is a beautiful, marvelous jewel of a day. It's also the friday that begins my last weekend before school begins all fresh and new! I have approximatively nothing that is "useful" or "necessary" to do, so I will be enjoying my weekend with these delightful creative to-dos!

Also, the mastermind of this idea is Kaileenelise, and you can find all of her wonderful suggestions here.

♥ Organize my new filofax in time for the new school year

♥ Organize my nice new notebooks and highlighters for school

♥ Plan what to wear for the first day of school + accompanying makeup

♥ Read and think about GTD

♥ Fill up my style inspiration notebook with all sorts of lovely pictures

♥ Put wonderful quotes and cool calenders up on my inspiration board

♥ Painting my nails a fun color and listening to podcasts

♥ Catch up on bloglovin

♥ Go to the library to get some great new books to read

What is on your creative to-do list this weekend?

♥ Luinae

Blogs I Adore

2010-08-26T18:04:00.002-06:00

Although I have drastically reduced the amount of blogs I follow, I still follow quite a few, and I just realized today that you might be (somewhat) interested in the kinds of blogs I read, enjoy, and take inspiration from.

These amazing, stupendous blogs are the ones that have inspired me to start writing & blogging, as well as to constantly improve my own blog. They are absolutely amazing and superb!

I Enjoy:

♥ The blog Charade is one of the most divine and inspiring things on the web. I know that I'm not the only person who wants to live a fabulous & stylish life, but simply lacks the appropriate funds to always do so. And then Megan enters stage left with fabulous ideas and tips on a budget- read, read, read and then use, use, use.

♥ Leia's Delights is written by a wonderful blogging friend of mine whose killer personal style, articulate current events opinions, delicious recipes, wonderful nail art and fantastic culture are sure to knock you off your feet. All the way to the subscribe button.

♥ I like style! But I like concrete, reasonable ways to look at style! While the two seem incompatible, The Glamorous Grad Student is a great source of both. This is because her approach to style is very factual and concrete, which is a great way to dive and delve deeper into what you wear.

♥ Might and Main is really for those of us out there who want to make improvements to our life, but are overwhelmed with where to start. Might and Main gives great, positive reasons to makes changes and then easy steps to employ them- creating a better life for you day by day.

♥ The blog Yes and Yes is a cult favourite of everyone for many good reasons. The main reason is because it doesn't pigeon hole everyone- letting people know it's ok to be who you are. Me? I'm a hippie vegetarian who wants to save the world and also have a career and buy nice clothes. And Sarah Von makes it OK to be that!

♥ For those of you who have been interested in my minimalism posts, you are guaranteed to enjoy Zen Habits. This blog has helped me to be way more productive and focused so I can get more stuff done. It is ripe with great, high quality blog posts and ideas. Read it. Now.

What blogs do you absolutely adore?

♥ Luinae

P.S. I read and adore a lot of blogs- these just happen to be my extra special favourites!

New vs. Old

2010-08-26T16:27:00.003-06:00

As part of "that" generation (you know, the one that makes old people roll their eyes a lot) I can safely say that there is some pretty awesome stuff about "that" generation. There is also some pretty awesome stuff about this generation- I quite like living in the 21st century. Here's the stuff that I love about this generation and where we live, and some of the stuff from the past I still totally dig.

♥ Old

♥ I do not see myself doing e-book readers. Possibly never ever ever. Why? See here.

♥ If I had to reapply lipstick or powder, I would go to the washroom, etc. or another private place to do so. And on the same note, for the love of god, do not apply makeup while driving!

♥ I was raised that money is a private matter that you don't discuss in public. I still kind of cringe when people discuss money and they aren't immediate family.

♥ A lot of the time when I make tea, I just do a quick cuppa, but at least once a day I will get out the mini teapot, carefully steep the tea, and drink it slowly while sitting in a comfortable chair.

♥ I loathe text speak. I am a human being, not a gorilla with a keyboard, and I prefer to type like one.

♥ I have certainly bought things online, but I don't like the idea of buying clothes/shoes online. There is just too much room for error. I like to feel things- the heft of the material, the stitching, etc.

♥ I don't think it's acceptable to wear pajamas in public. Sweatpants I'm OK with (but please just do a black pair that doesn't have "Angel" on your butt) but pajamas never!

♥ Be on time, people! It is not fashionable or anything cool to chronically be late to things. Seriously. Show up on time.

♥ It is so incredibly rude (IMO) to text while talking to someone. I was trying to have a conversation with someone while she texted to another friend. It was hard to pay attention, and it was rude.

♥ I can knit. I don't like to, per say, but I can do it.

Now that I feel incredibly old (to new readers, I'm 15! Bet you didn't guess that!) I'll give you a list of things I like about the "new" ways.

♥ New

♥ THE INTERNET. That is all.

♥ I like that it is now socially acceptable to go solo to a dance, that you don't have to bring a date. I love going alone to school dances.

♥ I like that there are now "alternative" cultures. It's nice that you can find more specific niches of things you are interested in.

♥ The music has a lot more variety, and I really appreciate that.

♥ I really do enjoy computers.

♥ I like that there are alternatives to traditional schooling- which was like getting my teeth pulled out for me. This year, I'm doing a virtual/traditional mix, and I couldn't be happier!

♥ I like that (slowly, and where I live, very slowly) other religions and races are becoming more and more accepted.

♥ Travel is easier and more accessible to the masses.

♥ The internet- have to mention it again. It is so easy to share information, ideas, etc. and I really think it's wonderful.

What do you like about the "old" ways and what do you like about the "new" ones?

♥ Luinae

Lazy Links

2010-08-23T18:03:00.001-06:00

It's the summer, so I'm allowed to be lazy any day of the week!

♥ 3 Tips for Staying Passionate about your Work, from Positively Present
♥ We all plan for the worst, but What if Everything Goes Right?
♥ A mascara beauty tip from Venusian Glow- this is one I use myself.
♥ 4 Simple Goals
♥ This is absolutely radical: Your Permission Slip from the Universe
♥ How to have Zen in your Pen again and again has some wonderful tips.
♥ Undistracted Reading, which is great for budding minimalists.

♥ Luinae

Baby Steps

2010-08-19T16:29:00.004-06:00

You just have to take the first step.

Life is scary & extraordinary & wonderful, all at the same time. People make huge plans, and they have the best intentions, but we can often forget that in order for anything to work, you have to take the first step. And then you have to keep making steps. A big goal, one that excites you and really makes you want to jump up and achieve it, is often so full of wonder & awesome that you don't know where to start.

Baby steps, my friends, baby steps.

The main problem with baby steps is that you don't feel like you are getting any closer to what you really want. You feel like you are plodding all the way along for nothing. There is nothing worse then a feeling of not achieving anything, even though you've put in all the hard work. What I find really helps is to make a timeline of how each goal relates to the next, until eventually you are at what you are aiming for all along. This helps so you mentally feel like you're actually making progress.

The Dream

Own an Irish dance studio where I get to teach kids progressive Irish dance and competitive, as well as a dance troupe attached to the studio. My dance troupe would travel around London and perform, with new & exciting choreography, great energy, and awesome music. Alternatively, I will perform in a touring ID show, doing performances, then doing choreography.

Here's the rub. When I spend two hours practicing to get drums to the left, it doesn't feel like I've moved closer to the dream. So I've prepared a list/timeline showing all the baby steps (approximately) I will be making in the next years of my life to move closer to the dream. Obviously, this is my dream, not yours, so yours will look different- this is just a format.

This Week
♥ Practice dance six days out of seven
♥ Get into the habit of working on my flexibility/strength- hooping, stretching, yoga, strength training daily.

This Month
♥ Give my all in every dance class
♥ Take all criticism and use it to practice what needs to be worked on
♥ Work on choreography for the three hand
♥ Be the best possible assistant teacher I can be- help the kids, be supportive, be patient.

Next Three Months
♥ Do my personal best at the upcoming feis. I'm not going to say I have to place, but I want to come off the stage and feel like I did a good job.
♥ Continue to work on strength/flexibility, as mentioned above
♥ Stick to a serious practice schedule that targets weaknesses.

This Year
♥ Place in at least one dance at one feis
♥ Have all my soft shoe dances advanced to Prizewinner
♥ Be able to dance an Open amount of time for both hard shoe and soft shoe dances.
♥ Look at the end of year show from this year to the next, and see visible improvement

Infinity and Beyond
♥ Before high school ends, pass a majority of my dance examinations
♥ Have my own classes at the current academy
♥ Continue dancing through Uni
♥ Get a masters in Irish Dance, and become a TCRG
♥ Work on opening a school/auditioning for shows

While I don't have to follow this plan to the letter, it makes me see how doing little things like stretching all contribute to the dream- taking baby steps will get you there in the end.

What sort of baby steps are you taking?

♥ Luinae

What's in my Makeup Arsenal (Autumn 2010)

2010-08-17T21:59:00.001-06:00

I have chosen the term makeup "arsenal" because it sounds like I have all these lipsticks lined up in a row, ready for something important. I like that.

Anyway.........

♥ Foundation-

I got a bit of a tan over the summer, so I've been using Annabelle's SkinTrue Foundation in Natural Ivory. It's around the MAC NW/NC 15 range, so it's a great match for my skin. It gives a semi matte look, so I don't have to wear powder on top, blends like a dream, and doesn't make all my blemishes look bigger then they actually are. I just apply a little bit with my fingers and voila- the perfect face.

♥ Blush-

You know how some people collect lip glosses? I do that with blush- I love rosy cheeks in an assortment of colors, and blush is my favourite beauty product. I love how it makes me look. My go-to shade is Annabelle Blush in Rose Fawn. This blush is the perfect pink, nothing else make me look quite as alive as this. Another one I use quite frequently is Annabelle Duo-Blush in Au Naturel. It's very peach and bronze, so it looks fantastic to warm up my face, without being bronzer, which I happen to detest.

♥ Mascara-

Lately, I've fallen in love with the look of big black eyelashes (I can pull them off because of my dark hair) with minimal eye makeup. To get this look, I use Annabelle volumelash.com mascara. The brush on this one is really unique- one half is your typical mascara wand, and the other is a comb. This makes for huge, voluminous lashes!

♥ Eye Liner-

The only eye liner I really use now days is Wet n' Wild Creme Eyeliner in Black. It's very black, creamy, opaque, smooth, and it stays on all day. A nice thin line right by my lashes is the perfect compliment to my look!

♥ Eye shadows-

This is where it gets complicated! When I'm not rocking the eye liner, I like to use my Wet n' Wild palette in Vanity, which is full of browns and golds. I cannot recommend these shadows enough- they are pigmented, go on well, and they don't crease! I like to wear a lighter color, and then use a brighter color like an Annabelle Pigment Dust to spice it up in the inner corner or crease.

♥ Lip stuff-

This is where it gets really, really, really complicated, so I broke it down below!

I'm a bright lip girl at heart. Bright lips and big lashes are were it's at, if you ask me. But sometimes I like a more toned down look, just like everyone else.

♥ For a nice, bright pink-coral lip, I love NYX round lipstick in Louisiana

♥ For a mid-tone nude, my favourite is Wet n' Wild Mega Last lip color in In the Flesh

♥ For a lovely daytime pink, I like Wet n' Wild Mega Last lip color in Rosebud

♥ For the perfect red lip, I adore N.Y.C. Ultra Moise Lip Wear in Retro Red

♥ When I feel a little adventurous, I like a wine lip- NYX Brush on Gloss in Garnet

♥ For the perfect glossy lip, my favourite is NYX Mega-Shine Lip Gloss in Miami Babe

What products are currently in your makeup arsenal?

♥ Luinae

Love and Love

2010-08-17T17:23:00.001-06:00

♥ That school starts soon- I crave routine ♥ The theme park we went to today. SO. MUCH. FUN. ♥ Rain beating at the windows ♥ Getting high kick clicks on my right foot. I have this thing when I practice dance where I can be so focused on getting some move that I can dance for hours and not feel tired or sore or have my feet hurt, but as soon as I get it (three times in a row, three times) I become so exhausted I usually just fall on my bed. ♥ Planning for back to school shopping ♥ Getting a second bookshelf for all of my books ♥ Buying school supplies yesterday- I didn't need that many, but it was so fun to help my little sisters. ♥ My little sisters! They ask for my advice about everything- "Luinae, what book should I read next? Will you help me go through my clothes?"

"Opportunity dances with those already on the dance floor."

♥ Lots of yoga ♥ Funky new dance clothes ♥ Soft pretzels- no joke, these are just so delicious I can hardly stand all of their intense deliciousness. ♥ Candy floss ♥ So many fantastic blog posts lately from other writers- way to go! ♥ Great new ideas I want to implement into my life ♥ Picking classes for next year ♥ Painting my nails ♥ A peel and stick chalkboard that was a gift from one of my younger sisters- it is so radical & awesome. ♥ Planning to do some posts on bookshelf organization, etc. &heats; My awesome blog readers!

♥ Tumblr ♥ The Mists of Avalon- "Perhaps people know longer believe in the power of Avalon." "Perhaps it's because you tell them not to." ♥ Dance quotes ♥ Old, amazing paintings ♥ Slurpies. ♥ Awesome political arguments ♥ Thrift stores ♥ Having lots of babysitting money! ♥ Ordering my filofax! ♥ Hot food ♥ Marking days off on calenders ♥ Song lyrics ♥ Trying to film myself dancing.

What do you love this week?

♥ Luinae

Lazy Links

2010-08-15T15:46:00.001-06:00

It's a little list of links this week guys! But they're goodies, I promise!

♥ Michelle muses: Is it better to be amazing at one thing or good at a few?
♥ How to Rock Freelance Writing
♥ This actually makes a ton of sense when you think about it. Enjoy the habit!
♥ More stuff about writing- Tips to get your career started and in motion from Rachel
♥ Aury gives great advice on how to Renovate your Life
♥ How to be a Perfect Planner, from Might & Main
♥ Mary Poppins productivity- Sugar tasks and how they help you get stuff done. What are some of your sugar tasks? I love taking notes for my classes, organizing show orders, & hard shoe drills.

♥ Luinae

Back-to-School Shopping: Wardrobe Taming, Inventory, & Appraisal

2010-08-15T15:24:00.001-06:00

Back-to-School shopping. Does it conjure images of joyfully pillaging racks of clothing? Or does it make you want to hide under the bed and never come out?

Regardless, back-to-school (or just Autumn) shopping has to be done!

Wardrobe Taming

While it can work to just throw on the nearest pair of trousers and shirt when you open the disaster zone that is your wardrobe, it is definitely not condusive to.........ummm.............anything. What I recommend, then, is going through your wardrobe and seriously evaluating what you need and what you don't. The subject has be done to death, so I'll just leave you with the resources that I used.

♥ Wardrobe Taming @ Gala Darling
♥ Top Down Wardrobe Taming @ The Glamorous Grad Student
♥ How to Clear the Closet @ Punkelikat!

I used a kaleidoscope of all three ways. I absolutely love the idea of Top-Down wardrobe taming, and I didn't have the eight days necessary for the Gala Darling one. I ended up going through my wardrobe, getting rid of the clothes that didn't fit (People who are still growing, like me, often have more clothes to get rid of) and then sitting down and writing my ideal wardrobe list. I then worked through some more exercises, like making a style diary of pictures that inspire me, and worked in conjunction with my Style Direction. At this point, you should be left with clothes you already own neatly organized, a list of clothes you would like to find, and some style inspiration.

The reason I'm not elaborating more on this particular part is that everyone will use the resources I've provided you with in slightly different ways. Just do what sort of Wardrobe Taming works for you.

Inventory

If you actually know everything you own, you are ahead of most people. How many people feel like you wear approximately 35% of your wardrobe while the rest of it languish's in the depths of your closet?

While cataloging your entire closet might be a bit extreme, you should at least check to make sure you have enough clothes. For example, you will need enough trousers, skirts, shirts to last between laundry days, and you need to make sure that there are enough ways to wear everything so it doesn't end up going something like this: Tuesday- Red sweater, brown trousers. Wednesday- Blue jacket, black skirt, etc. Variety is the spice of life!

Appraisal

In my opinion, this is the most important part of back to school shopping. Wardrobe Taming & Inventory are both necessary and practical, but they aren't exciting or fun! They don't give you oodles of inspiration that make you want to jump up and down, giddy with glee. Appraising what you wear & how you wear it is where all the fun begins!

♥ Style Inspiration Notebook
This is one of the best tools in my style arsenal! While I answer questions and do writing about my style in my personal notebook, this is a notebook that is just for pictures, inspiration & what I like about them + how to put them into my wardrobe.

For example, in this photo, I love the subtle showing of skin, the mysterious eye makeup, her hair, and, of course, her absolutely amazing grace & poise.

While that photo may not be your cup of tea, I bet you can find ones that are! It's so much fun to put together, and great to flip through on rainy days with a cup of hot cocoa.

♥ Analyzing your Style

In a notebook (I used my personal/self exploration one) you should do some hard core analyzing of your style. I highly, highly recommend going to A.'s "Style Self Help" posts and working through them all. There are questions to answer and some serious stylistic thoughts & ideas to think about- from inspiration to practicality. These set of posts are really well thought out, and are great for a hard core look at your style. It does take a while to go through them all, but it is so worth it.

♥ Pertinent Questions

Before you are all ready to do back-to-school shopping, set with a list in hand, there are a few questions you should ask yourself, just to make sure you are ready to go.

1. What is the biggest challenge you have getting dressed and how can you fix it?

The biggest challenge I have is definitely feeling like I only wear the same pieces of clothing in the exact same way, over and over again. I feel like it's really boring and I feel constrained. I can fix this by making sure pieces I purchase can be worn with more than two things in my wardrobe- and not just jeans #1 and jeans #2!

2. What wardrobe items do you lack that are practical?

Personally, I didn't have any shoes that weren't high heels or flats. My girl guide troupe goes hiking quite a lot (and I mean carry all your tents and food for 25 km hiking) and I had no sneakers! So my mother and I went to a thrift store to quickly remedy that situation. Other then that little mishap, I'm all set!

3. What do you want to do differently from your past dressing?

I would like to move a little bit away from such constricted styles of clothing (pencil skirts, tight jackets) and more towards a looser and less constricting style of clothing- flowing skirts, loose sweaters.

4. What lifestyle changes will your wardrobe have to accommodate for?

Because I am now only going into school for one class, I won't be riding the bus anymore. Therefore, I will be riding my bike or walking most days (unless there is a blizzard) so my clothes will have to accommodate for this lifestyle change.

Shopping

When doing back to school shopping, I believe that you should devote a whole day to it and do it properly. It's important to take time and do something like your style well- it will really pay off in the long run.

♥ Eat breakfast!
Let's just say that shopping on an empty stomach will either a) make you tired and bored and not able to devote your full energy or b) make you eat food court grease-in-a-basket which will have much the same effect. Grab a smoothie on the go if you must, but at least eat something!

♥ Take someone useful
That sounds so harsh, but it's true. If you are underage (like me!) and can't drive, make sure that your mother/friend/aunt is not going to criticize your personal style. My mother and I have very different styles, but she lets me do my own thing. She's also very honest about when something is the wrong color/shape. DO NOT take cranky people who will complain the whole time - recipe for disaster.

♥ Wear appropriate clothes
My main thing when going shopping is to keep it simple- shorts and a t-shirt. I don't want anything impeding me when I am trying clothes on, or having to tie up my shirt every time I try something on. Also, shopping involves walking, so wear comfy shoes!

♥ Be obsessively organized!
Don't let all the work you've done answering questions & sorting & making lists & style collages go to waste! Before I go shopping, I look through all my style notes and make a list of dream items (which you should already have!) that I am looking for, and then take it shopping with me. It really helps to keep me on track.

♥ Budget, budget, budget.
My personal budget (set by my mother) is $150 dollars for back to school clothes and supplies. This is totally fine with me because I don't need a lot of school supplies and do almost all of my shopping at thrift stores. Plus, there's 3 other kids in the mix! I also have some babysitting money from the summer to spend. Whatever your budget is, stick to it.

Have fun back to school shopping!

♥ Luinae

7 Ways to Kick-Butt at Whatever!

2010-08-12T22:20:00.001-06:00

We've all talked about productivity, etc. We've all talked about making your day better and more exciting. But today, we don't just want to be slightly more productive, we don't want to work on the same thing. Today, we want to kick-ass. Now what you want to be an amazing, unstoppable force of energy towards is your choice (nail that new dance routine? write a fantastic proposal? have the best cover letter ever? edit that novel chapter? analyze those data samples?) but the point is that you have to really do it and commit to it.

It isn't about mediocrity. It's about creating an ideal life for yourself, starting with today. It's about giving something your all, and getting it done, and getting it done well. Ready? Ok!

1. Say NO to things that don't work for you
You don't have to do everything. You aren't superman, and no-one expects you to be. While this isn't an excuse to ignore everyone and eat cheese while sitting at home, you can take a little more time to do more important stuff. Don't spend time, money, and energy on stuff that isn't working! Take the extra time you'll have by NOT going to your stuffy Great Aunt's (3 times removed) dinner party, and focus on what needs to be done.

Need a little help? 7 Simple Ways to Say "No"

2. Exercise
Get that energy flowing through your body. Because you have an amazingly strong, capable body that can do all this stuff. It feels good- it makes you feel like you can kick butt anytime you want! Now apply the energy you have from exercising to that thing you really want to do.

Need a little help? Try dance workouts, hula hooping, going for walks, lifting weights, or running.

3. Minimize distractions
How on earth are you going to nail a dance combo when the television is blaring? How are you going to focus on your novel when twitter keeps distracting you? Focus. Work. Devote your energy to this one thing. The secret is this: The time you spend on something doesn't matter. The university doesn't care how long it took you to write that cover letter, they care how good it is. So today, work on devoting your energy to this once thing and devote your productivity to that. Work in short bursts of productivity, not hours upon hours of moodling around until it finally gets done.

Need a little help? Read my article on Online Minimalism

4. Talk with people who have done it before and are better at it then you
Yes, it is way intimidating to practice dance with the girls who do Open Championships. But do you know what? It also makes you try harder and really push yourself to your limits. It's scary. It makes you sweat when you work with people who have done it before and know the ropes. But it also makes you push yourself more. Ask the head of the department to look over your math theory work, etc!

Need a little help? Remind yourself that at the end of the day, they're also just people.

5. Fuel your body
And do it with healthy, good for you foods! If you don't eat right, you don't run as well, which is not productive and the way to get stuff done. It's as simple as that.

Need a little help? Check out these recipes from Food Revolution!

6. Recharge the battery
I find that productivity works best for short periods of time. I can give something my all for about an hour, but then I need a break. It keeps me happy & relaxed, my stress level manageable, and my productivity levels high. That sounds like a win-win-win situation to me!

Need a little help? Set a timer for a certain amount of time, and when it dings, take a break. Now.

7. Do it Today!
Seriously, stop putting it off. Any of this sound familiar?
"I'll learn that dance routine tomorrow, I'm tired today."
"One more television show, then I'll work on my resume."
Stuff of that vein is so bogus, and it so doesn't work. We know it doesn't work. It doesn't help us or anyone else. Decide what you are going to do, then do it. It's as simple as that.

Need a little help? All right, this one is hard. But you can do it, I know you can!

How do you kick-butt at whatever needs to get done?

♥ Luinae

If I Were

2010-08-11T17:27:00.001-06:00

If I were a month, I'd be October.

If I were a day of the week, I'd be Thursday.
If I were a time of day, I'd be 8am.
If I were a planet, I would be Earth.
If I were a sea animal, I'd be a dolphin.
If I were a direction, I'd be North.

If I were a piece of furniture, I'd be a big comfy chair, strewn with blankets and a pile of books.
If I were a liquid, I'd be tea.
If I were a gemstone, I would be an emerald.
If I were a tree, I would be an oak tree.
If I were a tool, I'd be a pen.
If I were a flower, I'd be elanor.
If I were a kind of weather, I'd be rain.
If I were a musical instrument, I'd be an oboe.

If I were a color, I'd be silver.
If I were an emotion, I'd be joyous.
If I were a fruit, I'd be a pomegranate.
If I was a sound, I'd be the pitter-patter of rain.
If I were an element, I would be water.
If I were a car, I'd be public transport.
If I were a food, I'd be scones.
If I were a place, I would be a ruined castle.

If I were a material, I'd be linen.
If I were a taste, I'd be bittersweet.
If I were a scent, I'd be vanilla.
If I were an object, I'd be a book.
If I were a body part, I'd be the feet.
If I were a facial expression, I'd be laughter.
If I were a song, I would be Into the West.
If I were a pair of shoes, I would be ghillies.

Found via Lemon Soda

What would you be?

♥ Luinae

2010 Style Direction: Part 2!

2010-08-10T18:11:00.003-06:00

We all, of course, remember part 1 of this. WHAT? You don't take up your precious brain space remembering my style direction? Yeesh. ;) Anyway, while most of it will be staying the same, a refresher is needed. I will be sticking it in my planner, and hoping to keep it in mind while we all do some back-to-school shopping!

"Love. Such a small word, isn’t it? Such a great burden."

Formula: Wispy hair + delicious books + peppermint lip balm + long skirts + soft fabrics

How: She uses contrast in everything. Gorgeous structured sailor jackets over flowing deep rose blouses. Hair always frames her face in wispy tendrils, curly, falling out from her hat and hairdo. Gloriously imperfect. She applies lip balm to chapped lips and bright pink rouge to cheeks already pink from dancing in the wind. This young woman moves with purpose, even if that purpose is to catch snowflakes on her tongue. Hands that are rough from working, yet covered in delicious smelling hand cream. She walks on tip toe all the time, and often breaks out in jigs in the middle of the street. A pink planner is constantly lugged with her, and there are pen marks on her hands.

"Dance first. Think later."

Minimal makeup adorns her face, but she always looks happy and fresh. Light pink eyeshadow and nude to plum lips. Flats, moccasins, boots, little oxfords. Her shoes would never stop her from dancing in the rain. Voluminous skirts with tight fitting jackets and scarily colorful tights. Wear white when it snows, and blend into the world, save for startling black hair. Deep wine lipstick, blotted carefully, but it still leaves lipstick marks on steaming cups of tea & hot cocoa. When the sun streams through the trees, her face lights up. Multiple necklaces on one long, pale neck. Curled hair and green eyes framed with black eyelashes peer over from worn copies of The Silmarillion.

Shiny hair is dark and rich, nude nails click on table tops as she writes elven dialogue. Tearing a room apart to look for that one piece of paper, lying on the grass, daydreaming for tomorrow. Never forgetting who you are. Her Ipod carries the strangest songs- Sigur Ros, Janelle Monae, Celtic Woman. She has a peppermint stick ever hanging out of her mouth, and toffee in her pockets. Laughter surrounds her like a veil of white, happy and casual. Feet that are bandaged and cut and bruised.

"People tend to look at dancers like we are these little jewels, little cardboard cut-outs, and yet we have blood and guts and go through Hell."

The colors that fill her wardrobe are rich and deep- navy blue, rose, plum, emerald, cerulean blue, inky black, and forest green. Daydreams of travel haunt her head. She lives life like she pleases, wearing what she wants, loving who she wants, reading & watching what she wants. She creates her own life, piece by piece, and makes no apologies for it. Crooked smiles, warm coats, soft gloves, laugh lines around eyes, wind chapped skin. Her style is her, inside and out.

"Dance as if: The judge is your grandmother, the stage is your living room only bigger, keeping your feet turned out, toes pointed, legs crossed, and arms glued to your side is the most natural thing in the world, and Everyone who ever said “You can’t” is under the stage."

"There is a bit of insanity in dancing that does everybody a great deal of good."

What direction is your style doing in this autumn/winter season? And what do you think of mine?

♥ Luinae

P.S. The quotes are from Eldalie, Samuel Beckett, Susan Jaffe, K. Anthony, and Edwin Denby, respectively.

Why Waking Up Super-Early doesn't make you really Productive

2010-08-09T17:32:00.002-06:00

I like productivity blogs. I like them a lot- I like reading them, putting ideas into my life, and generally feeling better.

But why oh why does everyone and their mother have to suggest that getting up at 5 AM every morning is suddenly going to turn you into a super productive, happy diva? Waking up an arbitrarily set time does not make you more productive.

For a little while, I tried to wake up at 6 AM so I could get more stuff done, be more productive, blah, blah, blah. I don't have to wake up a a very early time to be productive. I've found that for me (me, Luinae) waking up around 7:30 works the best, and I do my very best, focused and creative work from about 8-1 in the morning. I get very sleepy in the afternoons, so I usually do more gentle stuff, and then in the evenings I perk up a little bit until it's time to go to bed. That works well for me! Not you- me!

You could try finding out your Biorhythm, or you could do what I did and just naturally go to sleep and wake up for a few days. I get tired at about 9:30-10, and I wake up at about 7:30 to 8. So I learn that naturally my body needs about 9-10 hours of sleep to function, and that works well for me. Occasionally, I do like to wake up early and watch the sunrise, but most of the time I'm content with what I know works for me.

I'll put my soapbox now (just kidding, I always have my mini soap box handy ;) and let you decide. But please, please remember: What works best for you, it well, works best for you. I don't try to push my routines off on anyone else- for example, my brother wakes up at around 7 at night and my routine would so not work for him!

Once you identify your best productivity times, make sure you eliminate distractions and actually use them to do something productive!

When are you best at?

♥ Luinae

Easy, Positive Changes

2010-08-09T10:57:00.001-06:00

Change seems to be everyone's favourite word lately, but for some reason all these change involve lots & lots of planning, money, time etc. And there is nothing wrong with that! But, sometimes we want to implement changes in our life that don't cause catastrophic things to happen, changes that aren't drastic but still cause a really wonderful difference in your life. Change that is good for you, the planet, and the people on it!

Warning: Making positive change to your life is exhilarating, thrilling, and slightly addicting. (Oh, is that just me?)

♥ Bring your own bags to the supermarket & clothing stores

At first, it is kind of weird. Depending on where you live, as well, things will be different when you start doing this. For example, in Vancouver the cashier didn't even blink twice when we handed him our bags, but here people occasionally make a really huge fuss about it. Even better, our supermarkets now charge 25 cents for each disposable bag you use, so it can make a difference in both the planet and your budget!

It's an easy change because you just buy some reusable bags (ours were all a dollar), throw in your car, bike, put them by the doorway and then take them when you go places, take 'em! Easy peasy!

♥ Remove SLS from your skincare & makeup

SLS is a skincare ingredient that is so bad for you it's not even funny. Made up of extremely dangerous chemicals, it cleans your skin/hair so harshly that it strips away everything natural from it. Just avoid it!

It's an easy change once you start reading labels, and you just get used to it. It has made a huge difference in my skin, and I really recommend this change. It's probably the hardest one on this list, but it is so worth it.

♥ Stop eating out (all the time) and prepare your meals at home

Everyone is probably going: "Yeah right Luinae, you're still 15 so your parents make meals. Duh!"

Well, (a) I help my parents cook about 3 nights a week and (b) I still make the choice to eat healthy snacks. But guys, this is so worth it. You really connect with your food, and you know exactly what you are putting into your body. You have more energy, you get leaner, and it helps whatever sports you play. You have fun planning delicious meals with your family, and shopping for them. For example, we all had fried halloumi cheese yesterday, and it was super delicious and healthy! Today, I helped make Spanokopita's, and while I was elbow deep in flour, I had a rocking time!

Guys, cooking is not time consuming. The above meal (which looks delicious, don't deny it) took approximately 7 minutes to make. Read this article that proves why healthy eating doesn't take a lot of time. Also, just e-mail me and I can give you some great cookbooks and healthy recipes!

♥ Shop second-hand as much as possible

I understand that some people don't fit into clothes that are second-hand, or there are problems with it, but if you can, I highly recommend it. It's recycling at its best, which helps the planet, and you end up looking amazing & unique. And if you hop over to it right now, you can even ask the amazing blogger Sarah Von some pressing questions that she will answer in a podcast!

Why is this an easy change? Because you just stop going to malls, etc. And then you find thrift stores. I just went cold-turkey on malls, and it is so easy to do. You just don't even think of malls anymore when you go shopping.

♥ Check out books from the library

Libraries don't promote a consumerist lifestyle, you can find anything you want, read more without worrying about the clutter from books you buy, and it is about a million times cheaper. Also, you will get more reading done because if you don't read the book(s) in 3 weeks, you have to give them back. I get way more reading done when I have a deadline.

Plus, it is seriously addicting. Before you know it, you will be heading to the library every week to pester the librarians about whether they have a copy of Queste in, and dumping back piles of books.

What small, positive change do you suggest, my dear readers?

♥ Luinae

P.S. You don't have to do them all at once, you can do them one at a time, which ever works way better!

Online Minimalism

2010-08-08T13:23:00.004-06:00

A lot of talk about minimalism ends up being a talk about physical clutter. Books we don't read, things we don't use, notebooks we don't write in. But minimalism doesn't just end when you have pared down the physical part of our life. What about mental minimalism? What about all this extra junk we're carrying around in our minds? And online?

Lately, I've really been thinking about how I could make my life online match up with my life outside of it. I wanted it to be more enjoyable, simpler, happier, and have less clutter in it.

♥ Being subscribed to so many blogs

I think it's really important to figure out why we are subscribed to so many blogs. No one likes to feel like the unpopular kid in high school who never knew what was going on. So we keep subscribing and subscribing until it's just an information overload, and we don't really digest and take in anything people have to say. And as our interests change, we subscribe to different blogs. All you are doing is really not giving these people your full attention and really soaking up their ideas, because you're wasting your time. It is so much more beneficial to subscribe to blogs you really like, take their suggestions & turn your life around, then it is to read thousands of blogs in a dull stupor!! It's a massive, huge time waster.

Now, instead of following my former 150+ blogs, I now follow 46. This is better for me and the people whose blogs I read. Now I have the time to enjoy their posts, comment on them, and really interact with these people. How many blogs should you subscribe to? Only you can tell, but there are a lot of factors. How much free time do you have? How many blogs do you like to read? What blogs help you stay on top of trends in your niche?

If you click over a blog every time a new post shows up, unsubscribe. If it doesn't float your boat anymore, that's OK! People change, and the blogs we subscribe to change as well. You can do so much when you aren't spending over an hour everyday reading blog posts!

Challenge: Go on a google reader/bloglovin purge and get rid of blogs that you don't like or that haven't updated in a while. Go on, do it! You will feel so much better, I promise.

♥ Using too many websites, social media sites, etc.

I realized that I was using way, way too many websites to try and connect with my readers. Really, what is way better is if you pick a couple, and actively use them. Using 10 websites where you update half-heartedly is not nearly as nice as using 4, and really getting to know people. I think we use tons of websites because there is always some great, new wonderful thing, and we want to use it. But we should be thinking critically about it- do these places really reflect my needs? Will I really use it?

I was using about 11 websites before, and I wasn't really using any of them to their full potential, and it was a waste of my time. I was spreading myself way too thin! Now, you can find me here, on twitter, on tumblr, and on the NaNoWriMo site. That's it! I have way more time to ummm, actually blog and chat with people then before, and I'm way happier!

Challenge: Look at all the websites you use, decide which ones really make you happy, and try to pare it down to less then 5. This one is tough, but you can do it.

♥ Always having the internet ON

I am so guilty of this one! I have the internet on while I'm reading, when I'm writing, etc. This is so not simplistic, and it seriously disrupts our productivity. The internet does not always need to be on! You will survive without it, and you will get more work done. When I stop checking twitter, e-mail, etc. and really focus on what I'm doing, like writing a blog post/working on editing my novel, I get so much better work done & in way less time.

And really, if you are just going to do nothing, get up and go do something else! When I'm done doing what I want to do on the internet, I get off it now. I put my computer into sleep mode when I read and I use Creawriter to write. Instead of letting the internet use me and just suck me in, I use the internet, when I want for what I want. I am in control of the internet, not the other way around!!

Challenge: Decide on a set amount of time each day where you will have the internet off (I use 2 hours) and use that time to focus on something really wonderful and productive.

What do you think about online minimalism?

♥ Luinae

P.S. When I get to 100 followers (see the box below? Click on it!) I'm going to have a Q & A session that will eventually make up my FAQ. So click the follow button for a chance to get to ask me weird, wonderful questions!

@Tumblr

2010-07-27T22:02:00.002-06:00

Hi everyone!

I’m in Vancouver right now, working with a pretty slow internet connection, but I do have some wonderful posts stocked up that I look forward to sharing with you. Look for a series about yoga in the next couple of days!

Meanwhile, I’ve been using Tumblr a lot- I know, you all miss your daily dose of hearing me prattle about inane topics. ;) So you can always follow me there, so I can blog about Irish Dance, my life, Irish Dance, the Silmarillion, Irish Dance, and tea. Yeah.

♥ Luinae

Lazy Links

2010-07-25T12:36:00.001-06:00

♥ Renovate Your Life, from the wonderful and ever inspiring Aury. A must read, it is so true, and for those interested in my minimalism posts, you will love this!

♥ There has been a lot of controversy surrounding MAC lately (I am personally absolutely appalled) and this post almost sums up my feelings on it.

♥ Leia explains the Salwar Kameez to us

♥ Fierce Frostings walks us through the process of Creating the Perfect Routine. It's totally radical & very true!

♥ Another Makeup Monday from Keiko Lynn, this time on rosy cheeks and lips.

♥ More great networking posts from Frock & Roll- read about creating a compelling website and finding new readers!

♥ Be Productive and Smiling!

♥ What to Wear to College Orientation is really beautiful + the kind of outfits (with a few modifications) that I would wear.

♥ Do inspiration boards have magical powers? Yes, yes they do.

♥ I will now proceed to steel Rachel Phillip's Office!

♥ How to defeat the urge to do useless tasks!!

♥ For Step 7, we get told that Less if More. I couldn't agree more, and check back next week for a post on the different levels of minimalism.

♥ Luinae

50 Book Challenge

2010-07-24T20:53:00.004-06:00

I have long since loved books. They seem so unassuming, sitting on my shelf. Just words on paper, which sounds really quite boring. But you open them and then there is war and love and adventure and excitement! It is really quite phenomenal. Second hand books are my favourite- they've already got creased spines and dog eared pages, they have already been loved. They are just beautiful. I also love how books smell, all musty and delicious and paper like. Yum!

I'm starting the 50 Books Challenge as part of 16 Things, a list of goals to complete before my next birthday! I first heard about this challenge from the delightful Luana of Lemon Soda, who has hers posted here. The goal of this list is to keep me on track with all the books I want to read.

My list:

1. Her Fearful Symmetry by Audrey Niffenegger

2. The Princes of Ireland by Edward Rutherford

3. The Rebels of Ireland by Edward Rutherford

4. Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen

5. The Ruby in the Smoke by Phillip Pullman

6. The Shadow in the North by Phillip Pullman

7. The Tiger in the Well by Phillip Pullman

8. The Tin Princess by Phillip Pullman

9. The Virgin's Lover by Phillipa Gregory

10. The White Queen by Phillipa Gregory

11. The Other Queen by Phillipa Gregory

12. The Book of Lost Tales Part 1 by J.R.R. Tolkien

13. The Book of Lost Tales Part 2 by J.R.R. Tolkien

14. The Lays of Beleriand by J.R.R Tolkien

15. The Shaping of Middle-Earth by J.R.R. Tolkien

16. The Lost Road and other Writings by J.R.R. Tolkien

17. The Return of the Shadow by J.R.R. Tolkien

18. The Treason of Isengard by J.R.R. Tolkien

19. The War of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkien

20. Sauron Defeated by J.R.R. Tolkien

21. Morgoth's Ring by J.R.R. Tolkien

22. The War of the Jewels by J.R.R. Tolkien

23. The People's of Middle-Earth by J.R.R. Tolkien

~~24. Ancestors of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley~~

~~25. Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley~~

26. City of Bones by Cassandra Clare

27. City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare

28. City of Glass by Cassandra Clare

29. The Necromance by Michel J. Scott

30. The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath

31. ~~First Test by Tamora Pierce~~

32. ~~Page by Tamora Pierce~~

33. ~~Squire by Tamora Pierce~~

34. ~~Lady Knight by Tamora Pierce~~

35. The Snow Spider Trilogy by Jenny Nimmo

36. Queste by Annie Sage

37. Syren by Annie Sage

38. The Secret by Rhonda Byrne

39. The Secret Countess by Eva Ibbotson

40. The Morning Gift by Eva Ibbotson

41. Eyes like Stars by Lisa Mantchev

42. Perchance to Dream by Lisa Mantchev

43. The Handmaiden's Tale by Margaret Atwood

44. Starcrossed by Elizabeth C Bunce

45. Wideacre by Phillipa Gregory

46. The Favored Child by Phillipa Gregory

47. Meridon by Phillipa Gregory

48.Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr

49. Ink Exchange by Melissa Marr

50. Fragile Eternity by Melissa Marr

Some of these books, I have read before, but I want to read them again for whatever reason. What recommendations do you have for my second list?

♥ Luinae

My Ideal Day

2010-07-24T20:29:00.028-06:00

I've been thinking a lot lately about what my ideal day would look like, while still being in confines of the life I currently have. What would it look like? What would I do? I think it will be interesting to see how it turns out, and perhaps I will be able to take some steps to implement it in my daily life.

♥ Wake at around 7-7:30 in the morning, and do about 20 minutes of some gentle yoga

♥ Enjoy breakfast and a cup of tea with my family, then get ready & pretty for the day ahead of me

♥ At 9, start working on my school work. Vary working at home with the library and the virtual school center. Listen to lectures, take notes, do school work, etc. Take breaks when needed for tea or hot cocoa.

♥ At around noon, start making a delicious vegetarian lunch for myself to enjoy. It could be a soup, mixed salad, panini, or even fried halloumi cheese! Yum! Take a break from work and stuff to enjoy lunch and maybe catch up on some reading.

♥ Go into school for my band class, either walking or riding my bike (eco friendly for the win) and then walk/ride bike home.

♥ Finish up whatever work I have left over from the morning and then do some hoop dance, go for a walk, do some yoga, or practice Irish Dance.

♥ That pretty much would conclude my school day, so I would then have time to catch up with blogs on bloglovin, write or publish a blog post, maybe start some research for another one.

♥ After that I would have time to do some reading, writing, fun stuff, etc. before dinner.

♥ Enjoy supper with my family! My crazy, psychedelic, wonderful, amazing, awesome family! Your guys are the best family I could ever hope for!

♥ If it's Tuesday or Wednesday, go off to teach/take dance classes for the evening. If not, relax and spend some time on the webs, write blog posts, work on editing my novel, play games with my brothers and sisters, work on my 16 Things list, etc.

♥ Drink more tea before bed, and usually chat with my parents or we occasionally watch tv together. Hang out with friends some evenings.

♥ Go to bed at a reasonable time!

What does your ideal day look like?

♥ Luinae

16 New Things

2010-07-23T10:04:00.007-06:00

With help from you guys, and from my twitter friends, I have finally compiled my 16 Things list for this year of my life. And here they are:

1. Complete two fifty book challenges.
2. Leave an inspiring/awesome note in five different library books that I return (1/5)
3. Get my own domain
4. Test drive a filofax
5. Have all 3 novels in my series written in rough draft
6. Create a Budget for myself
7. Upload a video of myself hooping to this blog
8. Complete NaNoWriMo
9. Participate in the "Thing a Day Challenge" for one month
10. Make a short documentary of a part of my life
11. Write a letter to myself to open when I am 16
12. Compose/write a song
13. Place in at least one dance at one Feis
14. Go to a Hoop Dance class/workshop
15. Illustrate one of my own stories
16. Compile a 100-Things-About-Me list

So these are my 16 things for this year! Wish me luck!

♥ Luinae

Saying No to Kindle

2010-07-22T20:59:00.003-06:00

The world has been abuzz about Kindle. I, however, am not very impressed. Can digital technology really take the place of holding a delicious smelling creased book in your hand, delicately flipping through the pages? From the wording of that last sentence, you can probably guess what my answer will be. NO!

I'm sure some people love Kindle, and think it's all great and all, but there are several reasons why I, as well as many others, will be saying no to Kindle. Also, the book industry is not dead- it just had babies! Yeesh.

Reasons I will not be getting a Kindle:

♥ I can already read for days without recharging, because books don't need to be recharged.
♥ There are books in libraries from thousands of years ago. In a few hundred years, books will still be the same. A bit more worn, yes, but they won't run out of batteries, and technology won't change so fast that they become obsolete.
♥ I never have to get the newer, better version of a book I already own. This will happen with Kindles, because technology changes.
♥ Even though I consider myself relatively eco-friendly, I buy books- most of which are second hand, and would be in a landfill unless they had a loving home on my bookshelf.
♥ Reading is one part of my life that technology hasn't invaded, and I want to keep it that way.
♥ I like folding little dog ears in the corners (only in my books, spare me the lecture) and I like how their spines crease, so you can tell that they have been loved.
♥ I can underline & highlight passages to my hearts content.
♥ How on earth am I supposed to write little notes in the columns of a kindle?
♥ Books are so much more beautiful to me when your name is scribbled in the corner, the book is a little bit worn, etc. That's the kind of book that was loved and cherished! That doesn't happen with Kindles- they seem so cold and hard and clinical to me.
♥ Technology screws up sometimes. Once printed, books do not. My book will never break, go out on me, or shatter into a million pieces when dropped on the floor.
♥ I have a book sitting on my shelf right now that was one of the few possessions my great grandmother brought with her when she escaped Nazi Germany. It's still ok, the words are still as wonderful as they once were, though a little worse for the wear. Would this happen with Kindle? Uh-uh.
♥ I can't lend a Kindle book to a friend.
♥ It's very nice to have shelves filled with books- years of magic and knowledge and history. Yum!
♥ I like the heft of books when I read them, I like turning the pages.

I think my main reason for sticking with my beloved paper books are emotional ones, and that I like the "feel" of it. Some of my reasons, however, are a lot more practical.

Why have you (or not) purchased a kindle?

♥ Luinae

15 Things in Review

2010-07-20T19:51:00.001-06:00

Sadly, I didn't get everything done.

However, I can happily say I got all but one done! Which means I bought a moleskine notebook, took an ID class, painted a picture, took a yoga class, danced barefoot in the rain, organized my books by colour, choreographed a dance, went skiing, wrote a letter to myself, and more! I believe that it was a very sucessful year.

My birthday is tomorrow- I'm turning 15. My family is upstairs wrapping presents in eco-friendly wrapping paper as we speak (type!)- oh how I love my family! So I have a few ideas for my new list, but I would love some suggestions. 16 will mean I can drive, which is a very exciting prospect for me! Fifteen isn't really all that old, but it feels so to me. However, I'd say I am usually anywhere from 4-20 years younger then most bloggers.

It was a really great experience, and I recommend people jump right on it- I had a wonderful time trying out all of these things, and even found out some new ones I loved.

Some things I'm considering for the new list:
1. Complete two fifty book challenges. I'm already done my 2010 goal about reading- yeah, read super fast.
2. Leave an inspiring/awesome note in five different library books that I return
3. Get my own domain
4. Test drive some sort of filofax

That leaves 12 more! I would dearly love some suggestions, so just leave them in the comment section below! Pretty please!

♥ Luinae

Feeling more Energetic

2010-07-19T22:44:00.001-06:00

I know I don't always have the highest energy levels (OK, I tried to do yoga this morning and fell over in camel pose. My energy levels were low) but there are most certainly ways to improve it. Feeling energetic is really wonderful and here are my secrets how!

♥ Sleep
Well, before I start blowing your mind with all of my originality, I figure we should start at the basics. The more sleep you get, you will obviously be more energetic. There are a few things I like to keep in mind that work for me: Sleep in a cold room, complete darkness, go to bed at the same time, drink decaf tea before bed, and do my bedtime yoga. (I am practically a party teenager.) When you get sleep, you don't feel as rushed/tired in the morning when you wake up, so your whole day will be spent with more energy.

♥ Caffeine!
This is most certainly a tip I recommend in moderation, but I don't really function without a morning cup of tea. However, tea has a ton of great benefits. I've never been a huge coffee person, but I would also recommend you cut down on your coffee.

♥ Gentle exercise
I am not going to say that you should go for a 3 mile jog whenever you feel out of energy, because that would make me an annoying hypocrite. When I am zonked and out of energy (in the morning, afternoon, whatever) I prefer gentle exercise- think yoga. Yoga & some gentle dance stretches have always helped me wake up and feel more revitalized without going full out or hurting myself.

♥ Aerobics
Now before you break out the purple spandex one piece (yes, I do see it hiding in the back of your closet) there are a huge variety of ways to get fit. Engaging in aerobic activity helps you sleep loads better at night, clears your skin, and gives you oodles upon oodles. You could try jogging, but I find it frightfully dull. Try trapeze artistry, Irish dance, hooping, walking, biking, etc.

♥ Water, water, and more water
Water is good- I am one of the people who actually like the taste of water! I find that when I fill up a water bottle in the morning and guzzle it all day, I am way more likely to be not only energetic, but also extremely productive. I DO NOT condone drinking bottled water, but guzzling it all day is good for your brain and your body.

♥ Wake up earlier
You're joking right? How am I supposed to have more energy when I wake up earlier? Are you insane? No imaginary person, I am not joking. To the first question, you will see, and to the second, I refuse to answer it. If you are sleeping well and going to bed at a normal time, waking up at 8:40 for a 9:00 class is a bad, bad idea. I enjoy mornings way more when I have time to do some yoga, read some inspiring posts on bloglovin, perfect my gel eyeliner, and chat with my parents over a 'cuppa. This puts you in a more energetic mood for the whole day!

And on a side note, I totally think you should walk/ride the bike to work/school. When I do this I always show up pink cheeked with that beautiful windswept hair, all perky and ready to face the day.

♥ Get your groove on
How do I like to jolt myself out of that oh-so-attractive glazed eyes look. By pretending I am a rock star and lip syncing to various songs while dancing crazily. You cannot be sleepy after that. My picks?
♥ Waka Waka by Shakira
♥ Airplanes by B.o.b
♥ Wild Dances by Ruslana

♥ Perfect posture
Sitting up straight with your head up is a great signal to the world that you are so ready for it! It can also make you feel a lot more awake and revitalized.

♥ Eat breakfast
I'm not repeating anything you haven't already heard. Eat breakfast. It gives you energy and makes you feel better, and it helps your metabolism. Wanna know what comes from eating breakfast? More concentration, better memory, better work ethic, and a more positive outlook on life. Put that in your pipe and smoke it.

♥ Here comes the sun!
Not only is it a fantastic Beatles song, it is also vital to our energy levels. Everyone in my family suffers from seasonal depression. Basically, we all become lethargic and depressed in the winter because of a lack on sunlight. So when it is around, go out and soak it up. Vitamin D is really essential, and is also totally good for you. Sunlight helps you to become more energetic and productive, and it also makes you happier. What's not to love?

What tips do you use to have tons of energy?

♥ Luinae

Lazy Links

2010-07-18T16:32:00.002-06:00

Photo from don'tcloseyoureyes

♥ Fashion Tips by Zodiac Signs, including my own- Cancer!

♥ A brilliant quote from Fierce Frostings

♥ This is a fantastic piece on "how to let go of the past & thrive in the present" which I definitely recommend all of you read.

♥ I look forward to trying a routine similar to this one: Makeup Monday

♥ Keeping your calm, from kaileenelise

♥ As a soul lost in Minas Morgul, I really love this playlist!

♥ An extremely funny piece on why writing is like sex

♥ Polyvore Tutorial, from Locked Out. It's really comprehensive and well thought out!

♥ Fashion inspiration from Walt Disney's Cinderella- I like the servant outfit the best!

♥ In my opinion, this is the best post this week: Revolution, Girl Style Now! It is a must read, no if's, and's, or but's about it!

♥ Stop being mediocre. Right now.

♥ From Improv Everywhere, a Star Wars Subway Car. What an amazing idea!

♥ The Manifesto of Encouragement, from White Hot Truth: Printed out and stuck on wall? Check.

♥ A great guide for bloggers, from Frock & Roll. Find it here and here

♥ This apartment is divine: Swedish Glam

♥ A very complicated and round about way to happiness. See if it works for you!

♥ This is so cool! It's called I Write Like, and you enter text and it tells you who you write like. Mine says J.R.R. Tolkien. I laughed at the screen when that came up- if I could write half as well as him I would be incredibly happy.

♥ Luinae

What Roles do you fulfill?

2010-07-18T11:54:00.002-06:00

As we are not all one dimensional people, we all fill a variety of roles in our lives. I'm not just a blogger- I'm also a daughter, a dancer, a student, a sister, a friend, etc. And everyone fulfills different roles at different times in their lives. Are you a girlfriend, wife, mother, granddaughter, graduate student, co-worker or a writer? All of these roles that we fulfill in our lives mean different things to us.

Another key is making sure that some of the roles we fulfill are just for us. Being a sister is partially for other people- my brother and sisters really trust me so they come to me with a lot of their problems and we spend a lot of time together. But being a yogini is just for me- no one else benefits from me doing yoga.

When planning and scheduling and all that other fun stuff, we need to make sure all the roles we fill have their time so we can have balance. Balance between our families, social lives, work/school, and hobbies. So let's start by breaking down all of our roles and deciding what we need to do to fulfill them.

As a dancer, I should be practicing regularly as well as attending all of my dance classes.

As a sister, I need to make time to spend with my brother and sisters, and I need to treat them with kindness and respect, no matter what, because they're my family.

As a daughter, I need to do my chores (reality bites!) and go to family dinners.

As a yogini, I should practice yoga and make efforts to meditate on a regular basis.

As a blogger, I need to post regularly and I also need to be posting great, useful content to my readers, because I owe it to them.

As a student, I need to be prepared to listen to all my lectures and I need to put my best effort into my work because I am extremely lucky to be getting an education.

As a global citizen, I need to stand up for human rights and what is just, because we all live in one world, and we are all part of it, so I need to stand up for my fellow human beings.

As a musician, I need to practice my oboe on a daily basis so I can be the best part of my band that I can be.

As a writer, I should be writing daily to exercise my brain and my mental muscles and keep my mind sharp.

As a friend, I should be making more of an effort to see my friends and do stuff with them (just a few days ago we had a fire in someone's back yard and roasted marshmallows and then watched trashy tv under a blanket. There was about 7 of us, and it was so fun. Go me!) because they deserve that time from me.

As an ID Teacher, I should be prepared to teach all my classes, working towards getting my TCRG certification, and being kind to the kids I teach.

Now that I've thought of all the roles I need to fulfill, I can work on making sure all of these get done- having friends and doing normal stuff like that is no less important then writing essay's which isn't more important then running human rights campaigns. Everything is important to me.

Also, if a role doesn't seem to fit you and it doesn't make you happy, find a way to cut it out of your life and get rid of it. Our roles should always fit us and our lives at the moment we are in- this is very important.

What roles do you fulfill?

♥ Luinae

Love and Love

2010-07-13T21:16:00.000-06:00

♥ Washing dishes with my brother ♥ Brainstorming for a new fanfiction ♥ Getting tied to a tree at summer camp (don't worry it was all in good fun) ♥ Summer camp with girl guides in general ♥ Doing Yoga more regularly ♥ Getting a really nice regular babysitting job! ♥ Practicing dance! ♥ My birthday being in a week and one day!!!!! ♥ ♥ My friend mistaking horses for kangaroos ♥ Fording rivers while wearing a backpack with tents, food, etc. It makes you feel so tough ♥ Swimming in freezing cold waterfalls ♥ Washing hair in the river ♥ Campfire song ♥ European teams being in the Top 3 for the world cup ♥ Finally getting an ID wig, which was so, so, so, so nice of my parents! ♥ Rainy weather

♥ Life is awesome ♥ Hatboxes (I'm probably the only person in my high school who both owns and uses a hatbox) ♥ ID magazines ♥ Painting my nails ♥ Humongous dogs that look like horses ♥ "The Irish Fro" ♥ Book shoppes ♥ There's a flood! It's ok, I have a shamwow! ♥ Sock glue & wig spray ♥ Getting lots and lots of lovely comments on my blog ♥ Designing an exercise plan for myself ♥ Bloglovin (follow me pretty please!) ♥ Planning a trip to disneyworld (maybe) ♥ Practicing the oboe ♥ Getting ready to go to Vancouver ♥ Watching all the LoTR movies again- and she's Telerin because of Celebrian and Artanis and Earwen. Luinae, SHUT UP! ♥ My wonderfully crazy, zany, too good to be true, awesome family!!!!

What do you love this week?

♥ Luinae

Dance Survival Kit

2010-07-13T16:29:00.001-06:00

As a dancer, I (rather obviously) go to dance classes. However, I don't think you can just show up at a dance class, survive and give it your best without being properly prepared, especially if it's a three hour Irish Dance drill special. Or the Virgo Rising in me is just coming out.

Here are all the things I really recommended you bring to your dance class! Some may be competitive/Irish specific, but most are pretty general.

♥ Water
Seriously, a class without water is a really truly terrible idea. You will be dancing hard as well as sweating hard, and your body will really need the nourishment and the hydration to keep going. This is non negotiable- you will be thirsty and you will need to drink. If you are a competitive dancer, it's really dangerous to go without water.

♥ Tape/Band Aids
Not trying to scare you all, but torn muscles, twisted body parts, etc. and stuff not as bad as that- I strained the arch of my right foot really badly and had it taped for months- do happen. Band aids are really useful if you're wearing new dance shoes, as you can get a blister from them.

♥ Appropriate shoes
I can only speak as an Irish dancer here, but good luck doing your Slip Jig jumps without the proper shoes! If it's tennis shoes, high heels, ghillies, pointe shoes, whatever- you really should wear them. They save you injuries, as well as learning to do things the wrong way. I really can't stress how important these are.

♥ Snack
Depending on how long your class is, your need for this may vary, but I still recommend it. Eating after a dance class (especially protein) allows your muscles to retain all the strength they got. Also, it helps to give you essential nutrients. Starving your body does absolutely nothing for your dancing.

♥ Dance clothes
For most types of dance, wear shorts that come to above your knee, tights if you don't feel comfortable with showing that much skin. Also wear comfy t-shirts, in a sweat wicking fabric if you can get them. It makes dancing a lot more comfortable- especially if it's an exercise class and you're going to sweat.

♥ Ponytail
Having hair hang on your sweaty neck and face is really no fun, and when jumping you don't want it in your face. So tie it back!

♥ A positive attitude
Go to dance class expecting to work hard and sweat, but also go at it expecting to have fun and enjoy yourself. Sure dance is about leaps and jumps and pointed toes, but it's also about fun. I work hard at dance, but I still have fun and enjoy it, which is extremely important.

Dancers, what do you bring to dance?

♥ Luinae

Dressing like Harry Potter Houses

2010-07-12T17:51:00.003-06:00

It's not that I'm a nerd, it's just that I like fashion inspired by fantasy books! I was re-reading Harry Potter (something about rainy days make me want to read Harry Potter) and thought of doing a post about fashion inspired by it!

Ok, I have no life.

Anyway, I thought it was a fun idea, so here we go! Also, which house is your favourite? I, despite popular opinion, have always loved Ravenclaw. They're awesome, without being so in your face about it. Also, I love Luna Lovegood so much!

Ravenclaw: Own a blue and white striped scarf, walk around barefoot, wearing earrings of any sort- hoops, radishes, studs, etc, grow your hair out, carry around books to read or stories to write, wear different colored tights with everything, let your hair do its natural thing, add quirky & personal touches to your outfit like a fun necklace or belt, wear minimal makeup, use layers of clothing, wear draped clothing, not fitted pieces, and experiment with nail polish colors.

Slytherin: Keep your hair perfectly done- not a hair out of place, own a green and white striped scarf, wear shoes that makes clicking noises when you walk and make sure they have pointy toes, have a blunt bob haircut, wear green eyeshadow, wear your skirts above knee length, use black eyeliner, dye your hair very light blond or extremely dark brown or black, drink green tea, wear silver jewelry, keep a neat manicure although nothing very exciting, and add green accents to all outfits.

Gryffindor: Wear brown riding boots, own a red and gold scarf, use button up oxfords layered to create a look, own a comfortable robe, etc. for lounging in, wear a dark red coat in winter, use red lipstick, wear grey sweaters, use comfy knee socks, never wear jeans, wear chords instead, keep your hair out of your face in a braid/bun/ponytail, wear stud earrings, use gold jewelry, wear low heeled shoes, wear comfy v-necks in tight layers for lounging, wear fitted clothing.

No one ever likes Hufflepuff, which I totally don't get because their symbol is a badger, which could totally rip your face off. Yes, that is totally cool.

Hufflepuff: Use gold eyeshadow, wear a yellow dress, put your hair in pigtails, smile & laugh, wear lots of lip balm, carry yellow notebooks exclusively, keep black clothes fun with interesting patterns, wear your hair up, have interesting outerwear, own white dresses, wear yellow socks (who cares if no one can see them!), wear a yellow and black scarf, wear turtlenecks, pleated skirts, have a layered haircut, and wear really bouncy skirts.

What's your favourite house?

♥ Luinae

Lazy Links

2010-07-11T16:35:00.002-06:00

♥ From College Fashion, how to Break Our of Your Shell in College
♥ Who else wants to try Digital Scrapbooking?
♥ Core Wardrobes are an important part of personal style
♥ Beauty 101: Summer, from Locked Out
♥ I found this very interesting! What is your acne telling you, which is basically how your eating habits and other parts of your body affect your face.
♥ A beautiful outfit, with pretty heels and lovely lipstick
♥ I love this article about Close Reading, I agree with every word. Make sure you scroll down to read my extremely complicated extended metaphor!
♥ An awesome playlist of music!
♥ From HiFashion, what do you think of fashion books?
♥ The Clean Slate Guide to Simplicity, which I look forward to trying this summer.
♥ A wonderful series called Mo' Money, Mo' Problems from Gala- Parts 1, 2, and 3
♥ This is amazing! A foundation matrix, to help you find a perfect shade from brand to brand!
♥ Fashion inspired by the Beatles, one of my favourite bands.
♥ An awesome post on DIY Cosmetics, whether you like store bought or handmade.

♥ Luinae

Vegetarianism

2010-07-09T11:27:00.004-06:00

As I said in my post about Minimalism, I have recently gone vegetarian. Then, I got a few requests to talk about being vegetarian- what I'm doing, how it's going, etc. So here it is!

I did not go vegetarian because I deeply cared about the plight of animals- that may sound really awful, but it's true. I describe myself as an environmental vegetarian. Basically, I've chosen to be a vegetarian because it's a lot better for the environment, and because it's part of a new lifestyle I've been trying to implement.

Unless you are a die hard meat lover, the hardest part of being a vegetarian is not giving up the meat. I mean, you just stop eating it. If you're living alone, you just stop buying it. The hardest part of being a vegetarian is making sure you are still getting enough nutrients, minerals, and vitamins for your body to run properly. For example, I now take iron supplements, mostly because I'm a teenager.

Being a vegetarian is a lot more work then eating "whatever." When you fly, you have to request vegetarian meals. You only eat vegetarian food at restaurants. People will ask you lots of questions about it, and a lot of people will think you are weird.

You must make sure you have good, healthy alternatives to the vitamins and nutrients meat used to give you. I have always loved both lentils, beans, spinach, nuts and cheese (when I was younger, the doctors always accused me of lying about my favourite foods! Spinach rolls=yum), so I had no problem with that. There is also other meat alternatives I haven't tried, like Quorn.

When people ask you why you are a vegetarian, don't get hostile and defensive. There are a lot of reasons people go vegetarian: health, ethical, animal lover, faith based, don't like meat, save money, lose weight, etc. Prepare a few things you can say in a calm and respectful manner. Because if you live in a small town someone will probably jump down your throat and insist that you are not only the reason for the failing Albertan beef industry, but you are also a hypocrite because you own a dog.

Of course, that did not happen to me.

Do not alienate everyone. Do not preach about it- people who preach about anything- religion, eating habits, whatever! are not pleasant to be around. No one wants to be preached at. And we really don't want to end up like the girl in my gym class who insisted that eating meat was just like eating babies. Sigh. Personally, I keep it to myself. My eating habits are my personal business, and if someone asks me about them, I am more then happy to share, but until then- I keep my mouth shut.

Here are some more quick tips for going vegetarian:

♥ You have to be creative! For lunch yesterday, I enjoyed fried halloumi cheese with basil and coriander sauce- delicious!

♥ Eat food in season. It's way better for the environment, and the food will always taste better. So don't go eating watermelon in November.

♥ Don't convert people. Eat what you want to eat, and let others do the same.

♥ Do research before you try it.

♥ Look up vegetarian recipes- you will most likely have to be more adventurous with food, but it's so much fun!

Any other vegetarians in the crowd? And does anyone have any super awesome vegetarian recipes they want to share?

♥ Luinae

Daily Outfit: July 5th 2010

2010-07-05T16:48:00.006-06:00

I'm totally not wearing shoes in this picture because I am just too cool to wear shoes and y'all should deal with it. No, but I was hanging around the house today and I thought that I might conceivably want to put up another daily outfit photo, because I was wearing my totally awesome layered skirt-combo of doom, and I had nothing better to do. Sad, but true. That's kind of how it rolls around here.

Taking an outfit photo (for me at least) usually involves wrestling with the camera for a lot longer then I'm comfortable. Now, I am quite thin, but so may of my outfit photos look like you've stuck the legs of a speed skater with a model's upper body. I do have naturally larger legs, plus from all the dancing I do, they're pretty much all muscle at this point, but I would rather not look like a horse.

Just saying.

My shirt is from H&M, the first skirt is from New Look, the green skirt if thrifted, the silver necklace was made by me, and the pink necklace is one I won in a giveaway from Whimsy Beading, and it's made of pearls, which are my favourite kind of jewelry! The red lipstick is Revlon's Cha Cha Cherry. And sorry about the hair, it was deciding that it was not too be brushed, and was just chilling in curl town. Awesome.

♥ Luinae

Lazy Links

2010-07-04T16:44:00.001-06:00

Oh, I am so back. My week away was awesome- sometimes being away from something makes you miss it a lot. Now I am way more ready to jump back into blogging- being my positive, inspired, chipper self.

♥ From A, creating balance in your life. All work and no play doesn't work at all, and we need to remember that.
♥ Why "Punctuation is Powerful." The sentiment is very interesting, but I wish it didn't have the gender divide.
♥ If you're a fashion blogger, you have to check out these Top Ten Websites
♥ Dresser Top Inspiration for those of us who adore interior decorating
♥ Steps to Start Dealing with an Eating Disorder
♥ I like mine on shoes- a love affair with bows
♥ If you are interested in minimalism, you want to simplify but it can be hard when you love your stuff. Here is a comprehensive guide of how to.
♥ Are you left brained or right brained? I am right brained- cannot see the ballerina turning counter clockwise for the life of me!
♥ The Ultimate Guide to Thrift Shopping, from Doe Deere
♥ Vanessa shares 5 Valuable Lessons she learned in College
♥ No matter how young you are, you can still make your dreams a reality, and here's how
♥ Oooooh, more Filofax Love. Stationary and organization are so interesting to look at!
♥ And bookshelf porn- so many pretty books!

♥ Luinae

Taking a Break

2010-06-28T12:53:00.001-06:00

I'm taking a break from blogging- just for about a week. I need time to think and recharge and let all this creativity and positivity come back to me.

Today, I'm going to girl guide camp until Saturday. I'm going to sing campfire songs, play tag games, eat s'mores, sleep in tents, and genuinely enjoy myself. So no twitter or blogging until Saturday- but then I can really come back and focus on doing it good.

Taking time to rest, recharge, and rev up for a great summer!

♥ Luinae

Lazy Links

2010-06-27T11:41:00.005-06:00

Follow my blog with bloglovin!

There's a ton this week, the web was just full of so much good reading that I couldn't pare down the list, even if I wanted to. So enjoy!

♥ 33 Different Ways to Start Your Day, from Brilliantly Better

♥ Free RSS icons for bloggers! I can't wait to spiff up my own blog with some of these.

♥ Some really wonderful tips on creating a Fashion Vision Board. I look forward to trying them out.

♥ Yum, stationary! A Filofax Love Affair looks interesting, I may look closer for the new school year.

♥ This is so unbelievably hilarious- World Cup Nicknames! "Team nickname: The Team. Thank you
Germany for your unwavering Germanness"

♥ More uses for EVOO- I like it on my hair

♥ Photo Fun for All! I'm game, are you?

♥ How to Have a Productive Summer, from the lovely ladies of HiFashion.

♥ One of my favourite bands as well: Within Temptation (and why)

♥ Do you have a summer manifesto?

♥ Staying Sharp over the Summer- looks like we're going to be busy!

♥ Wonderful advice on getting rid of pimples. Especially as a teenager, this is beyond wonderful!

♥ Candy Coated Decor!

♥ Just a reminder- Failure is a Detour

♥ An interesting look at the "Pros and Cons of School Uniforms." I hate the idea, personally. What do you think?

♥ Read my guest post on Shadow Psyche over at Gothique!

Inspired By: Vianne Rocher

2010-06-26T10:09:00.002-06:00

"Why can't you wear black shoes like the other mother's?"

"It isn't easy being different."

Chocolat is a beautiful & touching movie for a variety of reasons. First of all, Vianne Rocher is such a determined character and there are so many good morals about acceptance and standing up for yourself, tolerance, etc. in this movie. Second, Johnny Depp. Third, the style is to die for. Red shoes and lipstick, classic coats and curled hair. Fourth, the scenery of the little village and the lovely river is really rather quaint.

So I thought I would give you all a guide on how to be inspired by Vianne Rocher, one of my very favourite and most stylish female protagonists.

♥ Hair

This movie was set in the 50's, so we are obviously going for a loosely curled look. If you have naturally wavy hair, you will still have to do some work to get this look. There shouldn't be a hair out of place, and if it is, it should be shiny and smooth. Shiny hair is rather key to getting this look- glossy and smooth. A shine serum from any drugstore is essential, and is an easy way to get this look for those of us with naturally wavy hair.

If your hair is straight or curly, you can use those huge rollers when you get out of the shower. I've used them before, and because I am super lazy, I just put them in and leave them in all evening until my hair dries. Done! You could also blow dry your hair with them in, if you have more time. A large barreled curling iron can also give you the desired look.

If we are really getting into it, the hair color I would recommend would certainly be dark red or brown-black. These colors are most prevalent, and they always strike me as very classy. Also, while Vianne has shorter hair, I fancy that this look could be done very well with longer hair. The classic waves, the shiny hair, and the impeccably styled coif are not dependent on hair length.

♥ Clothing

While Vianne is always dressed in a very beautiful way, she also runs a Chocolaterie (on a side note, who wants to go to that shop? I do) and must be dressed practically enough to move around. While she is never parted from her signature red high heeled shoes, they are perhaps only 1-2 inch heels, and I bet they are extremely comfortable. Comfort and Class are two of the most important facets to her look.

She usually works with a contrasting two thirds of a triad scheme in red and blue. A triad on the color wheel is red, yellow, and blue. Choosing two of these colors (in this case, red and blue) is a very sharp and classy way to get her style.

It being the 50's, Vianne sticks to classic silhouettes and beautiful skirts. Her skirts are always nipped in at the waist to give that lovely hourglass figure, and her shirts usually hug her frame enough to give her a beautiful figure. Also, you should choose classic outerwear in a bold color that goes with most of your wardrobe- a pea coat, princess seamed coat, or a trench coat are all equally good options. While you can go with black, a rich color that works with most of your wardrobe would be quintessentially Vianne.

The last thing you must remember for clothing is that you cannot be afraid to be different. Vianne keeps wearing her red high heeled shoes even after everyone in the village makes fun of her because they all wear black shoes. She keeps her head high, and does what she wants to do, no matter what.

♥ Makeup

Use a light foundation that matches your skin perfectly. You won't need to use that much, because when you watch the movie you will notice that you can clearly see her skin texture through whatever makeup she is wearing. Use a light red-pink blush, like MAC's Powder Blush in Frankly Scarlet, with a light hand. This should give you a light glow in your cheeks.

Keep the eyes relatively simple. Good, thick mascara is all you need to get a wonderful look. Only put mascara on the top lashes, and make them as big and as doe-eyed as possible.

Lips must (no questions about it, must) be red for this look to work effectively. Vianne switches from a more coral-red to a deeper, darker red throughout the film. Russian Red from MAC is just divine when it comes to a deeper red. It's very solid and beautiful. I have Revlon lipstick in Cha Cha Cherry, and it is a perfect bright pomegranate/coral-red. The color is beautiful, and it looks very silky and shiny.

Have you seen Chocolat? Do you like Vianne's style?

♥ Luinae

Photographed: Week 3

2010-06-24T16:10:00.001-06:00

Wow, I haven't done one of these in quite a long while, but I figure y'all are long over due to see a week of my life, though a little camera lens.

As part of the Seventeen Magazine Project Call to Action, I decided to partake and tell the mainstream media what I think! You can also make your own and add it to the flickr pool, I adore reading other peoples. Mine says: "Hey! Mainstream Media, I am more then how many boys pay attention to me."

I went thrift shopping with my mum, and got a whole bunch of clothes and books. I actually got nine more then this, but I had already put them away. All of the books were 1.49, and it was really too good of a deal to pass up- I love, love, love reading!

Some awesome Sonic Rocks! shadows from Aromaleigh, as a reward for a few months of babysitting. This photo is from like a month and a half ago, but I'm still using them, so why not include it?

Some remnants from a really old craft project I did. I found this when I was cleaning out the bottom drawer of my desk- it's so sweet, like a little memory of whatever I was doing at the time. Lots of sparkle and shimmer and glitter. I like it.

An extremely beautiful book from when I was a child. All the pages are this beautiful and I just love it for that. It's about a girl named Cassandra (after the one from Troy) and her father and sister Miranda, and their adventure through all the old stories, except they are much nicer and gentler. I love this book so much.

Drinking tea and painting my nails in "Morbid" by Wet n' Wild. Not much else, a standard Wednesday evening of extreme dullness.

And how was your week?

♥ Luinae

Curiosity makes the World go round

2010-06-23T16:51:00.002-06:00

This picture happens to be absolutely wonderful for the theme- very Pandora's box-esque, if you ask for my humble opinion. Or not so humble.

Curious ~~Tuesday~~ Wednesday! 004

*grins really big*

1. If it was your birthday tomorrow, what would be on your wishlist?
2. Do you look after your nails? Do you paint them? If so, do you have a colour that you keep returning to again & again?
3. What star sign are you, & do you think it is accurate?
4. What is something you have recently learned to appreciate?
5. What is your favourite city in the world, & why?

1. A whole slew of books. The entire History of Middle Earth set, the illustrated Silmarillion, The Necromancer, Flyte & Psykik & Queste & Syren, as well as the Keladry of Mindelan series. God, I love books. As well, probably a Macbook- theoretically speaking, the people buying me those presents are totally rich.

2. Yes, I look after my nails and I paint them- right now it's "Purple Pulse" by Sally Hansen. And I always return to Black Creme from Wet n' Wild. It can be gothic, but paired with the right clothing, it always works for me.

3. I am a Cancer, and I do believe that it is extremely accurate. For proof? Cancers are supposed to be extremely imaginative, love fantasy and history, extremely sentimental, don't like change, and worry a lot. Oh, did you just describe me? I think yes.

4. I have recently learned to appreciate meditating. I honestly couldn't stand it before. Now I like how Zen and relaxed and chilled out it makes me feel.

5. London. I love this city so much it's insane! I love the parks, I love the libraries, I love the shops, I love how multicultural it is, I love the vibe, I love the politics, I love the flats, I love the little side streets, I love the tube, I love everything.

♥ Luinae

Love and Love

2010-06-22T12:11:00.001-06:00

♥ The World Cup (WORD UP, South Africa) ♥ "Purple Pulse" nail polish ♥ Watching trashy cheer leading movies with a friend where the best character in the whole thing says "No, I cannot direct you to Bancroft Hall, because Nathan Bancroft was a slave owner and an imperialist." ♥ Warmer weather ♥ Smiling ♥ Moments in time ♥ Being a vegetarian ♥ Pencils scratching away on creamy white paper ♥ All those who wander are not lost ♥ Doing the "Hat Dance" ♥ Being able to toe stand ♥ Making plans to practice dance all summer ♥ Exchanging stories about awful science teachers ♥ Laughing over their teacher's super dorky and irrelevant "Scale of Importance" ♥ Blog ideas

♥ The video above. I can pause it at any point and just think how beautiful it it. ♥ Strength training for dance ♥ Being way more flexible ♥ Organizing my lipsticks and bookshelf ♥ The Top Gear episdoe where they go to Alabama (This is Murderer to Brokeback, Murderer to Brokeback & MAN LOVE) Must be seen to be believed ♥ Finding a foundation that doesn't break me out ♥ Dancing your heart out ♥ Really good Asian food ♥ Being this close to finishing my third novel. It was painful. ♥ School supplies. ♥ Herb gardens outside ♥ Walking barefoot ♥ Dirt between your fingers. I ain't afraid to get my hands dirty ♥ "If you are here, you are awesome." ♥ Soft pillows ♥ Enrolling in classes for next year ♥ Fair trade hazelnut chocolate ♥ Jumping, and not falling

What do you love this week?

♥ Luinae

Escapism

2010-06-22T11:54:00.001-06:00

I used to critique movies (Disney especially) all of the time. I critiqued them for being too predictable, too cliche. They weren't realistic. They had silly singing people and we all know that life doesn't end in the "Happily ever after." I mean, the Little Mermaid dies, for Pete's sake.

But we don't watch movies or read books so we can take part in real lives. If I wanted to read a book about an ordinary 14 year old girl who went to high school and did Irish dance, I would live my own life. The whole point of books and movies is to escape from real life. It's to find another world that you can immerse yourself into.

I was talking about this with a friend, and she said: "Isn't that pointless? Isn't it a waste of time to escape from the real world when you could be living in it?" That stumped me, so I thought about it.

And I have come to the conclusion that No, it is not a waste of time. Why? Because when we are removed from our own world, and then we come back to the real world, it allows us to see things in a new way. It makes the ordinary things that we see everyday infinitely more precious. You could argue that the time I spend reading the Silmarillion is a waste of time because it isn't about the real world. But when I stop reading, I can see my own world in a new way. We become so disillusioned with things we see everyday, because we see them all the time. But when we take the time to "leave" the real world, these normal, everyday things are no longer so, and they become absolutely more precious and wonderful to us.

I read Trickster's Queen so I can escape from the real world. So for three hours on a Saturday morning, I'm not Luinae, sitting in a chair. I'm somewhere else. I'm reading about rebellions and politics and wars. I've escaped from my everyday life. And this makes my everyday life absolutely more precious to me.

So I don't hate Disney anymore. I watched Pocahontas a few days ago, and I didn't hate it anymore. For about an hour and a half, I escaped. This has given me a completely new attitude towards books and movies. Do I like to be able to identify with characters? Yes, absolutely. I love that when I read Trickster's Queen and I feel like I could be Dovasary Balitang. But when there is a happy ending, I no longer scoff at how "unrealistic" it is. I've escaped from normal life, and I don't have to worry about it.

Plus, it isn't healthy for a 14 year old to be quite so cynical. There are happy endings in real life. Not perfect, no, but certainly happy. I'm making an effort to be happier, to escape more, to love real life while I'm here. To just love.

What do you think about Escapism?

♥ Luinae

Lazy Links

2010-06-20T12:07:00.001-06:00

Hi everyone! I've been feeling really ill lately- I had rehearsals for dance on Saturday and Friday, so I feel fairly run down. Plus, I have a runny nose and a blinding headache. Ugh. So, to take my minds off things, here are some Lazy Links!

♥ From Zen Habits, a very small, but useful guide to creativity
♥ A condensed guide to the most popular sport on the planet! I'm pretty obsessed with FIFA- who else appreciates the footballers taking their shirts off at the end of matches? Just sayin'
♥ How to pull off wearing jewelry with a swimsuit
♥ Why do you wear makeup?
♥ Don't be a Workaholic! Be happy instead!
♥ We all need a Tiffany's- mine is probably the book section of Value Village. When I was in London, it was always one of the markets.
♥ Finally! Someone who shares their secrets from internet
♥ On a creative weekend, what does your creative to-do list look like?
♥ Kids with High IQ's grow up to be Vegetarians- maybe I just want this to be true

♥ Luinae