Pinterest Inspiration // 12

1. @babeskills 2. Mark Appleton 3. Habitually Chic 4. @andicsinger 5. @lucidlines 6. Unknown

To say that this semester has been hard would be an understatement. 
Both personally and school-wise I do not think that I have ever been so drained. I am eternally grateful for friends that make it somehow more bearable.

There's something magical about this time of year in the city that makes my heart sing a little. The lights, the music, the hustle and bustle, gift-giving and decorations, it all just feels a little like a movie. But I have always been a romantic that way. 

I'm doing my best to try to soak all of it in, usually in-between study sessions and grocery runs (so romantic). 

I've been struggling with the notion of home lately. I think it is something that I have continually struggled with over my uni career, but it just seems as if some of the dynamics have shifted since then. It's not that unusual. Things change over time and I knew that. I guess I just thought they would change more on my own terms. But that's not really how things work is it?

I read a quote the other day that basically said, "we don't write to be understood, we write to understand" and I couldn't help but think that that perfectly sums up the feeling I get... It's somewhere in-between a tightening in my chest a sort of panicky restless feeling that only really goes away when I both feel like I understand what's been happening inside my head and when I feel like I've sufficiently wrote enough to be understood. But first and foremost it's for my own understanding. 

So if home is where the heart is I think I might be a little doomed. I don't know where my heart is half the time. It flickers back and forth between old and new, familiar and day-to-day, and I'm not sure if that makes me lost or just a wanderer. 

A wayfarer. 

It sounds romantic...I can assure you it's not all the time. 

It's exciting. It's displaced. It's comfortable and uncomfortable. It's content and unsatisfying. It's all these things separately and somehow all at once. 

What I do know is that this year has pretty much hit me with all that its got and I feel a little beaten down and a little exhausted and I'm not sure how much more I can take before things start to take a bitter turn as they are want to do. I know that there is a light at the end of the tunnel here somewhere. Christmas break is near. But I'm starting to taste a bit of it's familiar acidity on my tongue. I'm trying to ignore it as best as I can and keep my head up. Mind over matter, you know? 

With that said here is a bit of inspiration for you, and me:

1. Hell yeah.
2. Doesn't London at Christmastime just sound wonderful to you?
3. The first snow.
4. I wish I could fill up my wrists with dainty bracelets, some pretty not-the-week-after-finals nails would be nice too.
5. Elegant? Dainty? Yes. Timeless? I don't know...I think I'd like to find out though.
6. Always a good idea.

A Change in Name

It's been over three years since I started this blog. It seems so weird to think about. My sixteen year old self trying to muss up some kind of creative outlet, safe place, home.

I've been thinking about it for awhile, a change in name, that is. Something that reflected what I started out to do and what it has turned out to be. Something that could last. 

"And I will never forget the plans and the silhouettes you drew here" ~ Ben Howard

That is one of my most favourite images. 

I hope to never forget the plans and silhouettes I draw here. 

As much as this is me trying to figure out so many different feelings and figuring out how to live life, it's also a very real memoir, a living one. It's not often that I read over my posts, but when I do I gain a perspective of how far I've come and how so many things have changed since then. 

I hope to continue to write and to continue to figure this thing out.

And I guess if you are reading this now you would like me to as well.

So...here is to all of the plans and silhouettes I draw here. To all of the plans and silhouettes I have already laid out, to those unwritten, to those that I cannot yet find the words for, to those that I haven't even thought of, I hope never to forget any of them.

Pinterest Inspiration // 11

1. Gardenista 2. Nessa K 3. Unknown 4. Unknown 5. Vogue Beauty

Somehow I've made it through my first batch of midterms and essays, nothing worse for wear as far as I can tell...except perhaps my dishes are piling up which poses a problem when you want to have a cup of tea, or just one spoonful of ice cream. Not that that's what's happened here anyway...

What I'm trying to say I suppose is that I am in great need of some inspiration! Out with the books and psych terms and in with some sweet nothings!

1. My dorm room is quite drab I would say, I need to get on this temporary gallery wall idea. Nat! I think there's a photo-booth calling our name! And we should be all over that :)

2. Lately, Paris and London seem to be on my mind. I've been going through some of my blogposts where I've posted pictures of my trip last June, while listening to Ben Howard, that is basically a recipe for nostalgia! (P.S. you can too if you want, just click, here, here, here and here)

3. Monochrome? Yes. 

4. I've been thinking a lot about the future and people I love. I get sad thinking that I might have to say goodbye to them for what seems like ages, but will probably only be a moment in time. And I've noticed that they are the ones that "get it". They just do. And it's amazing. It's also terrifying thinking that they might be gone. What if I don't find anyone else that "gets it"?

5. My ideal red. I've been thinking of going red off and on for a long time now. This reading week just might be the time! Who knows!

A Little Bit More About Me...

Despite the fact that I have two essays to write and two midterms to be studying for, I could not resist the urge to write. Just for the sake of writing. Awhile back Bonjour Luce, did a post similar to this that I was myself inspired to do. So here is a little bit more about me...

City or Countryside? Countryside girl most days, City girl the rest of the time ;)
Cats or Dogs? No question. Dogs!
Sweet or Savoury? Sweet
Dresses or Jeans? Dresses
Heels or Flats? Flats
Beyonce or Taylor Swift? Taylor Swift
Tea or Coffee? Tea
Night or Morning? Night Owl
Summer or Winter? Fall!
Books or Magazines? Books

What is your favourite...?
City? Paris
Blogger? Meg Fee 
Movie? Pride & Prejudice (2005)
TV Show? Downton Abbey or New Girl
Nail Polish? Essie's 'Skirting the Issue'
Lipstick? Red!
Colour? To wear, Navy
Meal? Pancakes for supper!
Actor/Actress? Jennifer Lawrence and Felicity Jones
Singer Songwriter? Ben Howard and/or Andrew Belle
Band? Mumford & Sons
Weekend haunt? Strathcona Market and Whyte Ave. 
Year? Can I say this year? Because my 19th year has been pretty great so far!

What accomplishment are you most proud of?
I would say that I am most proud of my blog. Most of my posts I have put in so much time and effort into and poured my soul and creativity into. I love seeing how much I have grown as a person through this blog and how far I have come with my writing and my photography. It's been something that I can rely on to get me through a lot of hard times and stages in my life. Writing is so therapeutic and this blog has in a sense given me reason and motivation to write and to write some things that I am proud of.  

When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
Have I grown up already? I still don't know what I want to be when I grow up. When I was in elementary I remember there was three things that I would list, Psychologist, Baker and Interior Decorator! Quite the spectrum haha

What are some things that scare you?
Right now, the future scares me. I don't know what I am doing or where it's taking me or where I want to go -- and that's scary. The future has always been somewhat scary as I've grown up, I think now more than ever however, I feel like I am supposed to be grown up and know what I am doing... and I really don't! When I was a kid though, dark hallways or staircases! Especially the staircase in my grandma's house haha

Are you an introvert or an extrovert?
I am very much an introvert. There are only certain people in my life where I don't feel physically exhausted and drained from spending an extended period of time with them. I can be a pretty good mix of both though I think. 

What is your favourite thing about University?
I am in the beginning of my second semester and Uni has been good to me. My school is so small so the connection with your classmates and your professors are unparalleled to larger Universities. School-wise I love learning in general but one of my favourite subjects that has opened up my mind is Sociology. I love being able to stretch the way I think and realizing some of the influences of society on us as individuals has done just that. Also being an English junkie I love analyzing and discussing the literature that we read! One of my favourite things that's not school related is having adventures. I am lucky to have met some amazing people here and I can say one of my closest and dearest friend shares a love for adventures and photography. I love getting lost with her, it is always a good time! We took the pictures above on a little walk in the river valley by our campus right before a pizza/movie night! It was the perfect end to the week <3

H A P P Y * N E W * Y E A R

"But hope smiles from the threshold of the year to come, whispering 'it will be happier'..." 

~ Alfred Tennyson

We gather around loved ones and friends celebrating the passing year -- all of it's laughs, milestones, heartache, and fear -- and hope for the year to come to be happier. 

So many good and hard things this year. So many new experiences and dreams accomplished. And I am so grateful for all of these opportunities! 

This year I went to Europe for the first time, gazed at the Eiffel Tower, walked along the Thames, wandered through the winding roads of the Lake District and saw the sea for the very first time amoung the sand dunes on England's southern coast.

I moved away from home to go to school in the city, met some amazing people, went on loads of adventures, discovered a little bit more of myself and what a friend could be.

Each new experience has widened my horizons and increased my dreams. Even though it might not have steered me in a clear direction, I'm a little bit more made whole by it. 

Twenty-fourteen was good for me. 

Heres to the New Year!

Pinterest Inspiration // 10

1.  Unknown 2. The Virtual Typewriter 3. Wide Eyed Legless 4. Purl Soho 5. Steve Madden 6. The Vanilla Bean Blog

1. The ultimate minimal, chill outfit and somehow still appearing stylish.

2. "I will learn to love the skies I'm under." Mumford & Sons need to bring out a new album a.s.a.p.!!

3. A cute mini low bun -- #hairgoals

4. I am starting to crochet a white and black scarf using People Webs pattern...I'm starting to wish I had this colour though.

5. I have yet to pick up a pair of boots for winter... I have been wearing flats or else my ever trusty moccasin booties. The snow will be upon us any second now and I should really be prepared. This Steve Madden pair is definitely on my wishlist!

6. Can we just appreciate the oozing chocolate from this perfectly presented chocolate cake...mhmmm...

* * *

School has been such a learning curve so far, I've figured that university is where you discover you suck at what you always thought you were good at, I'm hoping this is just a product of being out of practice. Hopefully I will do better for this next set of essays that are coming due all too fast. 

On another note if you haven't already checked out Ben Howard's new album "I Forget Where We Were," I would strongly advise you to do so at your earliest convenience, Ben has a knack for such poetical and soothing lyrics and songs, it's been on repeat almost everyday the past couple of weeks. 

Also Taylor Swift. (Don't judge.) 

Paris I Love You

^^ Some details from the apartment we stayed at ^^

^^ A park five minutes from our apartment that we sat and watched these boys play soccer on our first night ^^

^^ A Patisserie by our apartment where we got our fresh baguettes! P.S. That blurry hand in the right hand corner is me getting told off for taking this picture! "No, No, No, No, NO!!" ^^

^^ Our walk to the Eiffel Tower from our apartment! ^^

^^ Beautiful gardens outside L'Hôtel des Invalides ^^

^^ One of my favourite parts of Paris, the Musée Rodin ^^

^^ We walked to the Eiffel Tower around 10 o'clock to catch the light show at 11, totally worth it! ^^

^^ Our final destination, The Louvre ^^

When we stepped out of the train station and took our first glance at Paris, it was a little overwhelming. Paris is beautiful it's so alive and filled with artistic expression, conveyed through it's buildings and people. Not knowing a lick of French besides the basic, "Bonjour! Comme ça va?" "Ça va bien!" ect. ect. it was quite intimidating. Throughout our time in Paris (a full two days), you couldn't help but feel low whenever your were to interact with someone who potentially couldn't speak a lick of English either! Despite the language barrier, we were generally able to get by. 

On our first day we walked to the Eiffel Tower. If you were to say to me at that moment, that the landscape was imagined and that I was really just staring at the small version in Las Vegas, I probably would have believed you more than if you were to say we were in Paris, France! It seemed so surreal. We sat on the steps just above the fountains looking out at the Eiffel Tower and the rest of Paris; the hustle and bustle of tour buses, taxi drivers and pedestrians, kept us occupied as we took it all in.

We made our way down and through the gardens beyond, making our way to the Musée Rodin. We stopped along the way at a café and had Eggs Benedict for Grandpa's Father's Day gift. 

The Musée Rodin is set in an old house that I believe was rented out, our someway housed by artists like Rodin "back in the day" but is now turned into a museum. The house is beautiful and the grounds are spectacular. It was so nice just to walk around enjoy everything that was so immaculately preserved and maintained.

We enjoyed some sorbet, there as well -- I would recommend Violet, it's pretty colour was enough for me to try it! We made our way back to our apartment, quite early, grabbing a baguette along the way, rested our weary feet, and braved the walk down to the Eiffel Tower at 10 o'clock to see it all lit up and sparkly. I grabbed a crepe with nutella, and Grandpa got some popcorn, as we waited on the steps for the show to begin. It lasted all of probably 5 mins, but was soo..worth the wait and the walk. Paris is as beautiful at night as it is in the day!

On our second day we braved the metro -- which may I say was quite disgusting, I would not have been surprised if I had seen a rat crawling along the benches, it was dirty and dingy and felt like you were on set of a horror movie and soon the lights were going to start flickering and we would be plunged into total darkness! Not to mention it was hard to follow after the London Tube -- anyway we made our way to the Louvre and spent our time wondering around the sculptures. It was so beautiful I was glad that we had picked to go there first. Somehow on our way to see the Mona Lisa -- you know just to say that you had seen it -- we got  lost in Napoleon's quarters which were so extravagant and gaudy, but quite awe-some. Finally made our way through the palace, snapped a blurry, half-hearted picture of Mona Lisa -- more because everyone else was, walked to the other side of the room to see if she really does follow you with her eyes -- she does! -- and got out of there after a Starbucks break of course. We made our way home with the help of an American because the train had suddenly decided to stop, grabbed some supper at a restaurant and called it a day. Up early the next morning to meet our landlord and catch the train to back to England!

Au Revoir!!

A Summer Day

Summer in a small town can be quiet, there isn't festivals happening every weekend or outdoor concerts. The few annual events that we have are enjoyed and classed in the quintessential summer. In other words, summer isn't complete until we've gone to the rodeo or the parade, or sat in the car in our pajamas with blankets, out in a field watching the fire works at 11:00 at night. I made a little video trying to mark all of the little things that mark a classic summer day in our small town.

A Small Town Summer Day from Bronté Laurel on Vimeo.

N I N E books to keep you busy this summer...

It is one of my deepest beliefs that a book can impact you in a way that cannot even be expressed, that it can take you to far off places and make you forget, or perhaps remember. A good book cannot always be judged by the quality of writing, or the maturity of the plot, or the morals that it portrays, but the feeling you get as it comes to a close, as you read the final paragraph. Sometimes a good book is fluffy, sometimes a good book is nostalgia incarnate, sometimes a good book is fanciful, sometimes a good book is thought provoking, these are nine of which, I would recommend, to do just that:

1. The Hound of the Baskervilles by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Following one fateful night involving a girl and a man on the hunt fallen victim to a marauding hound, the Baskervilles have since been plagued by a mysterious, supernatural black hound. Sherlock sends Watson out to the estate to investigate the case of the most recent death of the Baskervilles, that has brought forth the original superstition of such a hound. This is one of the great Sherlock Holmes' mystery's but, unlike most of Doyle's work, of primarily short stories, this is a novel.

2. Emma by Jane Austen
Emma Woodhouse is handsome, clever and rich, she is also quite spoiled. This is a tale of the perils of misconstrued love. Emma greatly overestimates her ability of matchmaking and doesn't quite understand the effects of meddling in peoples lives. A light comedy of love, friendship and misconceptions.

3. The Help by Kathryn Stockett
Based in the 1960's in Jackson, Mississippi, this is a story about African-American maids working and raising white kids. It is also about "Skeeter" an awkward young woman, who has come back from graduating college, and is trying to get a job as a journalist. This is a great book to get lost in.

4. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
A classic love story. Following Elizabeth Bennett, in the turn of the 19th century, as she deals with issues of manners, upbringing, marriage and morality. The story centres around Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy, who appear to hate each other from the beginning, and Jane and Mr. Bingley, who adore each other from the beginning. Throwing in the mix, three ridiculous sisters and a mother equally so, this is an epic balance between pride, prejudice, silliness, marriage, money and all manners of social events.

5. Anne of Green Gables by L. M. Montgomery
An orphaned girl mistakenly brought home to the brother and sister pair, Matthew and Marilla, this story follows Anne as she grows up in the Cuthbert's household, at school and in the town. Anne is equally ridiculous, charming and captivating, she will hold your attention despite and due to her imagination. A light and humorous story to ease you back into reading. My favourites from the series of eight, are Anne of the Island, Anne of Windy Poplars and Anne's House of Dreams where she is grown up and sent off into the world, however it is necessary to start from the beginning of her story!

6. The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart
 Tells the story of four gifted children, Reynie Muldoon, Sticky Washington, Kate Wetherall, and Constance Contraire, as they are formed into the "Mysterious Benedict Society" and are sent to investigate a facility called L.I.V.E. (the Learning Institute for the Very Enlightened), run by the brilliant but evil Ledroptha Curtain. Another great, light read that is easy to get into.

7. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
A dystopian novel set in the country, Panem, consisting of the wealthy Capitol and twelve districts in varying degrees of poverty. Every year the Capitol holds the Hunger Games, where one boy and one girl from each district are selected at random and put in a man-made "arena" where they are to fight to the death -- only one victor will prevail. It follows Katniss Everdeen, who volunteers in place of her 12 year old sister, and Peeta Mellark from the same district, in their twisted love story to fight for their lives. Even if you are not a "fantasy" reader this story will captivate and transport you into a different world not-so-different from our own.

8. Harry Potter by J. K. Rowling
Harry Potter is eleven when he finds out he is a wizard, orphaned and living with his Aunt, Uncle and cousin Dudley, Harry is relieved with this knowledge, and against his guardian's will, sent to Hogwarts, the school of witchcraft and wizardry. It follows Harry and his two friends, Ron and Hermione as they face a potential come-back of the feared Lord Voldemort. The Harry Potter books are a classic and should be read at least once! (I believe I might have read all seven at least four times!)

9. Emily of New Moon by L. M. Montgomery
Emily Starr is a heroine with a love for the beauty in nature and art, loyalty to her friends, a thirst for knowledge, and a passionate dedication to her writing. She is also orphaned at a young age and sent off to her relatives, she quickly finds friends in the hired boy, Perry Miller, a slightly erratic and untamed Ilse Burnley and the quiet Teddy Kent. A classic coming of age novel, with two equally captivating sequels.

I think your summer is spent now, I believe every reader will be able to find at least one novel among these to enjoy. Let me know if you have read any of them before and your thoughts!

F I R S T S T O P L O N D O N

It's not often you get to live out a dream. I was incredibly lucky to go on this trip with my grandparents and I can't thank them enough. These are still shots of moments that inspired me along the way, and the first stop is London!!

^^ The Columbia Road Flower market ^^

^^ Portobello Road ^^

^^ Oxford Circus a.k.a. best-day-ever ^^

^^ Carnaby Street -- off Oxford St ^^

^^ The London Eye and walking along the Thames ^^

^^ Buckingham Palace and surrounding gardens -- apparently The Queen was hosting an afternoon tea and I guess she didn't know we were in the country because we didn't get an invitation! Choked!! ^^

^^ Getting wonderfully lost on the way to find Harrods -- the walk and the scenery were wonderful, my feet felt like they were broken, that wasn't very wonderful though ^^

We stayed in thee smallest apartment, along thee busiest street, we came accustomed to the stuffy tube rides, getting lost and pulling out the map, fumbling through foreign change and in retrospect it was all perfect. 

The first day we went to the ever famous and crowded, Columbia Road Flower Market, it was situated in a small alleyway, under the blaring sun, and all we wanted to do was have a drink of water and buy all the flowers! We then found our way to Portobello Road Market and bought some hats in one of the stalls. 

The second day we made it to the bustling Oxford Circus where I was #feelingspendy, got to look into all the greats, TopShop, & Other Stories, COS, Muji. I believe this was the night we spent at St. Martin's Theatre where we saw The Mousetrap -- also the one and only time we ever experienced London rain! 

The third and final day we kicked off by going on the London Eye, walking along the Thames, Buckingham Palace and the surrounding gardens, and getting lost finding Harrods! 

London was beautiful and I hope I will be able to see her again :)

Three more stops to go...