California

I have prided myself on being a Southern Californian as long as I can remember.  There are so many things about my hometown and home state for which I have absolutely fallen.  After all, we're home to endlessly sunny days, the cast of The Hills, and the types of girls about which Katy Perry sings.  
I've also always been engaged in a love affair with the city of Los Angeles. To me, L.A. has long been my city of dreams- an inspired, beautiful place rich in the history of one of American's most prominent and influential industries. I loved that people flocked to Los Angeles in pursuit of admittedly far-fetched dreams, ones that I once shared and am currently struggling to let go. L.A. is glamorous, gritty in the best way possible, and eternally draped in red carpets.  It's my home. So why, at this moment, is it leaving me so disenchanted?
Well, while Los Angeles is indeed a mecca of dreamers and visionaries, it's also home to overindulgence, an excess of superficiality, and a number of phonies. I've realized recently that living in Los Angeles most of my life, while in so many ways a blessing, has also subjected me to a kind of materialistic pressure unseen elsewhere. I am not a Kardashian and I never will be, but over the years I have felt myself involuntarily striving towards some form of this wealth and beauty. Superficiality and an unhealthy desire for celebrity pervade this region of California. For most, that is undeniable. And it's leaving me with a bad taste in my mouth, not to mention a thoroughly botched spray tan.
I'm sure that these thoughts stem from my recent visit to my boyfriend's hometown in Northern California, just outside of San Francisco. I couldn't adequately explain it to you, but something up there tugged at my heart and opened my eyes.  It was just felt more real.  For one thing, I wasn't being haunted by slews of preteens dressed like Brandy Melville models or hearing about my once-teammmate's brother's friend who just got an agent.  The streets were green and the people were kind and I felt... different.  San Francisco was inspired and graceful, as well.  I just appreciated it all immensely.
I remember having a conversation last summer with a friend who now lives out of state. Vaguely, I recall her saying something about appreciating her escape from SoCal and from its superficiality.  At that moment, I wasn't exactly sure what she meant.  I even went so far as to go on the defensive. I remember thinking, what was she talking about?  This is Los Angeles, lady, everybody wants to be here.  But now, I think I understand.
And I'm not sure what do about it.
I want you to know that I don't think that every person that has ever set foot in the Los Angeles region is money-grubbing or fame-seeking.  I was raised here, and although I have my doubts, I still love it.  Moreover, I have such respect for the people who come to L.A. to chase ambitions and succeed in the entertainment industry.  For the longest time I have wanted to be part of that, and I am not sure even now whether or not I no longer do.
I just wanted to express that my visit to NorCal was refreshing.  It reminded me that there's more to the world than my precious Los Angeles. And although I've always known that, I'm only now truly recognizing it.

On the new year.

Happy 2013, everyone!
I can't believe we've officially said goodbye to 2012, but I am ready to bid that year adieu.
Now, I've always been a sucker for the concept of new beginnings.  I live for the promise of a clean slate and the opportunity to give myself another chance- at being nicer, at being healthier, and at being better, generally. 2013's start gives me that seemingly overdone type of hope that characterizes the modern "New Year." It motivates me, as cliche as it may seem, to be a greater version of myself.  I love that.
But in truth, this year I have a slightly different perspective on the concept of resolutions.  I don't know if it's because I'm getting older or because I'm starting to view the world more realistically, but I've realized that the stroke of midnight on the 31st doesn't really imply the start of a new life.  The turning of the new year doesn't magically give us the strength, or the motivation, or the determination we deemed ourselves as lacking 12 or 24 hours prior. We're the same people.  I can try, but the changing of the date doesn't mean I'm going to suddenly and devoutly resolve to read more, or go to the gym three times a week, or be more compassionate.  It just doesn't work like that.
That's not because I don't wholeheartedly believe in or support the concept of bettering oneself.  It's because that, in actuality, if we want to make changes in our lives, or go after something, it doesn't matter what year it is. We can accomplish those things, or begin to, the day, the minute, or the second we resolve within ourselves to finally and actually do so.  To realize that we deserve this change, or that our friends deserve to be treated better, or the like.  It's not the new year that does that, it's us.
2012 was an interesting year for me.  I remember thinking at the onset of last year that I wanted to be braver, to take more chances, and to stop being afraid of making mistakes.  And looking back on the last twelve months, I'd say I did that.  Last year, I truly adjusted to my new life in San Diego as a college student.  I met some of my closest school friends in fateful and serendipitous ways.  I can explain our friendships as nothing less than meant to have happened.  I had my heart broken, a few times. And for anyone curious, it's getting fixed.  I've come to appreciate my family and my life at home, and realized that my parents are truly there for me whatever the circumstances.  I have learned that I am stronger than I ever knew, that I can bloom and be happy in new places, and that I should grow to trust myself a little more.  I know now that I'd rather live and love at the risk of getting hurt, than remain within the barricades I built for myself long ago.
This year, I hope to be better.  I've resolved, as you'll probably have guessed, to have no formal resolutions.  I'm just going to try to become a greater version of myself- to be kinder, to worry less, to finally start going after some things I've long wanted.  I'm going to take it day by day, and that's all I can really ask of myself.
So this year, I'm daring myself (and you) to love a little harder, laugh a little more, and be, in whatever way, a little better.
I'm sending you all the best wishes.
Much luck and happy, happy 2013.

Winter To-Dos

Hey, hey!
I'm in a listy-type mood today, so I'm going to jot down a little list of things I want to do this winter season.  I'll be at school for the next three weeks and at home for the following three, so this list will include both San Diego and L.A. related items.

Here we go!
1. Go ice skating with friends
2. Find (almost) perfect gifts for my friends and family
3. Go on morning runs
4. Save money!
5. Decorate our apartment
6. Rewatch all the Harry Potter movies
7. Take a picture with Santa
8. Read The Hobbit
9. Help someone less fortunate (not sure how to write that in a non-cheesy way, haha)
10. Keep this blog active!
11. (Re)read Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
12. Cuddle
13. Make Christmas cookies and bring them to someone
14. Rewatch Love Actually
15. Work on redecorating (or continuing to decorate) my room in SD
16. Secret Santa!
17. Drink lots of Christmas drinks from Starbucks
18. Light our fireplace
19. Decorate the Christmas tree
20. Rock red lipstick
21. Go to a holiday party

That's all I can think of for now!  I will probably add more soon :)

x

Tuesday Questionnaire!

I'm breaking the rules a bit, but I feel like doing a questionnaire! 

Here we go! 

1.) Mood:

Tired, but thankful.  I'm home for Thanksgiving break, and this little respite could not have come at a better time!  I've been so stressed for various reasons lately and I think a little home time is just what I need. 

2.) What was the best part of your weekend?

I had a hell of a weekend.  Not necessarily in a good way... in a progressive way, if anything.  I think the best part of my weekend was realizing the answer to a problem I've been struggling to resolve for a while.  The happenings of this weekend, good or bad, were enlightening.    

3.) If you HAD to choose one: drastic hair color change, or drastic haircut?!

Drastic hair color change! I get bored with my hair very easily, and have been wanting to go super dark or even reddish lately. I'm a little bit of a chicken, however... let's just say I've had one too many bad hair dye experiences. They haven't quelled my desire for a change, though!

4.) Current nail polish:

Essie Fiji

5.) Favorite Thanksgiving dish?

Yams and marshmallows! Yum :)

6.) Current outfit:
A Brandy Melville oversized beige sweater (stolen from Karen... hehe) and a Brandy Melville floral skirt. 

7.) Are there any TV shows you are really loving at the moment?

Yes! I've become obsessed with Downton Abbey in the past few months, I want the next season!  Also, I just started watching Once Upon a Time and I'm loving it.

8.) Do you change your makeup routine with the seasons?  How is it different for fall?

I don't really change my everyday at makeup at all.  I love myself some winged eyeliner and rosy cheeks no matter the season!  I do try to wear classic red lips more in the fall/winter seasons, though.  

9.) What are you doing for Thanksgiving? 

Just spending it at home with the family!  

10.) Weekly goals:

Relax.  Don't over think (pretty much impossible for me).  I'd also like to contribute somewhat to Thanksgiving dinner preparations, haha!  And hopefully see as many friends as possible while I'm home.  

xx

Everything They Do is Magic.

Hey there!
So I've been thinking a lot about this blog, and while I plan to continue to express my teen angst in this context, I want "Life is a Romantic Matter" in its entirety to be something more.  I want to discuss what I love, what I've bought, what I'm listening to, what's inspiring me, and so much more in addition to how I've been feeling.
I think I've started to do that with my last couple of posts, and am going to continue right now!
All right, brace yourselves, but this post is going to be none other than a fangirl rant about... One Direction's new album!
If you'd like to leave now, I understand.
I'm not ashamed to say it, I absolutely love One Direction.  I love their personal styles, their accents, their smiles, and, maybe most of all, their charming antics so comparable to those of the early 1960's Beatles.  And behind all my teenage girl admiration, I really think they are incredibly talented and put out some great music.  Besides, anyone who knows me knows that I'm a complete anglophile, so a love for One Direction sort of follows naturally.
I've been a 1D fan since before the release of Up All Night, so I've awaiting Take Me Home anxiously! On release day, I hopped on over to Target to snag my own copy of the Deluxe Edition, and I love it.  The album as a whole is catchy and vibrant and young and fun, and includes some really and truly beautiful, well-written songs.  The Ed Sheeran contributions, as I'm sure we all expected, are lovely.  My love for Ed parallels my love for these five boys, and any collaboration between them has my vote!

My favorites on this album are (in no particular order):
1. Heart Attack
2. Little Things
3. Over Again
4. Kiss You
5. I Would
6. Magic (Bonus Track)

Have you guys heard the album?
What do you think?

Monday Questionnaire

Okay, I'm going to try something a little different today.  I feel like writing, but am not up to dashing out anything excessive or emotional, haha.  So I'm borrowing from one of my favorite beauty bloggers, Allison (Amarixe), and am going to go ahead and complete this Monday questionnaire.  Hope you enjoy! 

1.) Mood: Confused.  I have a few things I really need to figure out right now, and I am intensely indecisive, so I'm having a little trouble. 
2.) What is the last song/album you purchased? I bought Taylor Swift's RED the day it came out, and I have my eye on One Direction's Take Me Home next!
3.) The best video game system ever is __________.  N64! It's classic, and the only gaming system I've really had any experience with, haha.  
4.) Current nail polish: OPI's Lincoln Park After Dark. 
5.) How many times did you hit the snooze button this morning? Once! Well, I dismissed my alarm once, because it's a holiday and I wanted to sleep in :)
6.) Current outfit: A Brandy Melville "Paradise Cove" muscle tee and moto leggings.  It's a lazy day! 
7.) What is the furthest distance you've ever driven? I honestly think the farthest I've driven is the 150 miles between my home in LA and my school in San Diego.  Not very impressive! 
8.) You can only use one mascara for the rest of your life-- which one is it?! Maybelline The Falsies! I think that's the only mascara I've repurchased, actually. 
9.) If you could have a $1000 gift card to anywhere right now, where would you choose? Target! The possibilities are endless! 
10.) Weekly Goals: To take and ace my Visual Arts makeup midterm, to figure out what I want and talk to people accordingly, to go back to the gym (ha!), and to actually relax a little.  Too much stress lately, haha, but that's kind of how I live my life.

Here's hoping x

On a Wednesday, in a cafe.

Loving this video so much.  The prospect of beginning again, vintage styling, and Paris?  What more could you want?