Student Debt Refusal Pledge

I've been having a semi-difficult time keeping up with this blog since schools been keeping me pretty busy. While on the topic of school, I found a recent article I'd like to share with you that I'm sure any college student or graduate would appreciate.

OWS Education Activists Launch Student Debt Refusal Pledge 

In the wake of massive walkouts at colleges in New York on November 17 and statewide protests in the University of California system, student debt has come to the fore as a major animating issue for the Occupy movement. Young people face record student debt at a time when the employment rate among those under 24 is at its lowest since the 1970s. 

Today, the Education and Empowerment working group at Occupy Wall Street announced their next step in the fight against the burden of student loans: a debt refusal pledge. 

Students and faculty, dressed in caps and gowns, performed a bit of street theater under the now-famous red sculpture at Liberty Plaza, handing out debt bills instead of diplomas and draping chains around their necks. Then, Professor Andrew Ross of NYU addressed the crowd through the People's Mic, saying "Since the first days of the Occupy Wall Street movement, the agony of student debt has been a constant refrain. We've heard truly harrowing personal testimony about the suffering and humiliation of people who believe that their debt will be unpayable in their lifetime." 

"Education is not like buying a car or a flatscreen TV," Ross continued, "Education is a right and a public good."  

Learn to Accept Others

I was reading through positively present today- a blog filled with positive thoughts, good advice and kind words. As I've gotten older, I've begun to realize that nothing good comes from judging others.  Here are a few things that I thought people need to be mindful of:

6 Ways To Accept Others As They Are:

 

In the grand scheme of things, you have to wonder: who are we to judge what's right or wrong, or the decisions of others? I think it'd be safe to say that we have all made careless decisions but instead of wishing we hadn't, try to think of the good that has come from it. Find contentment in past poor decisions and accept others as well. 

We all have the right to make up their own mind and, regardless of our personal beliefs, we must learn to at least respect each other. This sort of mindset can be very beneficial in a countless number of ways.

Seasonal Hair Styles

In spirit of the season, I've put together a small collection of simple and elegant hair styles I felt would  be well suiting for upcoming holiday gatherings. All images were found via pinterest and you may click the links below to find more source information or tutorials. 

I bid you all happy holiday wishes.

(sources: 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6)

The One Who Leaves

I'm trying to get some homework done at a coffee shop right now, but as usual something I was thinking about made me lose my focus. I decided to take a small break and read though some of the new articles on thought catalog since I haven't been on there in a while. After reading through a few of the titles, I finally came across one that sounded intriguing entitled It's Harder to be the One Who Leaves.

I've witnessed a number of friends and acquaintances who have stayed in relationships they've been miserable in, simply because they fear they won't find a better match, which is an awful reason. I've heard some of the most ridiculous justifications for their partners, too. Because of that, I realized I'd never want to be in a relationship that goes against my core belief system and overall happiness, when it should be more of a positive incorporation to my life, and less of a negative one. 

I can't let myself go off topic and expand on anything specific, but for me, it took a while for the shock of a particular past breakup go into full effect. The logical reasons for ending it seemed to disappear once things finally begin to settle in. Of course this is more applicable to long-term and serious relationships, but when you are the one who ended it, you are expected to be the stronger one. It's likely you won't get as much much sympathy compared to the one whose heart you broke, even if yours is broken in just as many pieces.

There are a multitude of thoughts and feelings that are difficult to communicate or to understand unless you've been in that particular position, some of which are discussed in this article. I felt this.

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a few things to keep in mind:

-be thankful for the good times.

-don't look so regrettably at the closed door.

-you will be happy again, promise.

-to have something half-way is harder.

(photo source)

Movie Night: Sabrina

Last night was my first day of no work or school in a while so I was eager to have a relaxing day. I caught up on New Girl, did a bit of homework, created some new boards on pinterest and went out to dinner with my sister to catch up. 

Afterwards, I was organizing my box of dvd's and came across the set of Audrey Hepburn DVD's I received as a gift from my dad years ago. I hadn't watch them in a while so I decided to put in Sabrina. I simply adore Audrey Hepburn, and Sabrina was always one of my favorites. It's such a charming film  full of melancholic humor and quick wit. I was happy to get a chance to get in some leisure time for a change.

 (1 / 2 / 3)

Notable Artist // Bri Emery

(one | two | three)

Bri is a California based graphic designer and art director for Rue Magazine. She comes off as such an enthusiastic and hilariously rad kinda lady who could surely b r i g h t e n up anyone's day! Bri has an impeccable eye for fashion, too. The above are just a few of her many wonderful designs. You can visit her blog here, and her style column here. 

3 words to describe her design aesthetic:

xx. happy blogging :)

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a bit more:

- an interview with bri

- her pinterest page

- her blogshop blogger classes (more under the cut)

A Pretty Difference

Rosy cheeks can make such a pretty difference, and make for a perfect look during the cold weathered seasons. Since finding the right color for your skin tone is half the battle, check some of my favorites and don't hesitate to ask someone more experienced for guidance if you need it.

Not too long ago, one of my friend Therese tried ELF in pink passion on me (the first blush shown below), I'd never tried such a bright blush since I typically wear very neutral makeup, but I ended up giving it a try and ended up purchased a similar color for myself; muted down a bit.

Gifting: Hard Cider Holder

I thought that this handmade apple twig four-pack holder would make the perfect gift for him. To fill this, I'd recommend checking out Trader Joe's or Whole Foods for unique seasonal beer and ciders. Grab your favorite pack, tie a ribbon around top and you're done. Such a simple and neat gift idea. 

Street Style: Paris, France

In light of my upcoming trip to France and Spaine, I thought I'd post some European fashion inspiration and photography from Scott Schuman's, The Sartorialist. I've read that the woman dress in a more feminine way, which I find very endearing. 

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a few more links:

-Joanna Goddard's tips on how to dress like a french woman.

-rue montorgueil is filled with bakeries, cheese shops, and lots more.

-a quite little breakfast spot in Paris, Merci.

Lemon Ricotta Pancakes

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more breakfast ideas:

-lemon ricotta pancakes with a blueberry sauce, from two peas & their pod.

-blackberry topped ricotta pancakes, from annie's eats.

-orange in chicago is a gem of a brunch spot, and you have to try the frushi.
-this blog, simply breakfast by jen causey.
-buckwheat porridge for the more health conscious folk.
-if you're nyc bound, re-visit this post of mine.

(photo & recipe source)

Anthro Finds

A few of my favorites from the newest Anthropologie catalog:

- Cheongsam Dress Coat 

- Condesa Breakfast Bowls 

- Dream-In-Color Slippers 

- Penmanship Gift Tags

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p.s. did you know... 

anthropologie has their own tumblr page now? check it out[!]: etymologie.

Leave The Past Where It Belongs

"You may think the past has something to tell you. You may think that you should listen, should strain to make out its whispers, should bend over backward, stop down low to hear its voice breathed up from the ground, from the dead places. You may think there's something in it for you, something to understand or make sense of.

But I know the truth: I know from the nights of coldness. I know the past will drag you backward and down, have you snatching at whispers of wind and the gibberish of trees rubbing together, trying to decipher some code, trying to piece together what was broken. Its hopeless. The past is nothing but a weight. It will build up inside of you like a stone.

Take it from me, if you hear the past speaking to you, feel it tugging at your back and running its fingers up your spine, the best thing to do -the only thing- is run."

-Lauren Oliver, Delirium 

(photo source)

Pick A Pie

Can't make up your mind as to which pie you want to make? Especially if you live with just one or two roommates, this pie pan can be a great baking option. Personally, I'm not too picky when it comes to pie, but I know there are many out there who can't say the same.

Which is your favorite? Pumpkin? Strawberry Rhubarb? Dutch Apple? Whatever it is, you and your partner can be equally as happy with this ingenious little split decision pie pan. How awesome is this idea! It would also make a perfect holiday gift for a couple.

Need some more great gift ideas? Check out some of my past gifting posts! :)

Fall Trend: Leather Shorts

I recently purchased myself a great pair of high-waisted faux leather shorts from H&M for only $25, and I'm completely in love with them! I like the idea of pairing them with some fun tights, a longer blazer, and a pair of pretty heels. I do like the look without any tights, but for the colder climate areas tights work just fine.

(photo sources: 1 / 2 / 3 / 4)

A New Album from Feist

Singer/songwriter, Leslie Feist, came out with a brand new album this past month entitled metals. It makes for comforting background music while walking along busy city street sidewalks or taking an extended bath. This time of the year is my favorite to be in New York; to take a relaxing walk around Greenwich Village or Central Park with my ipod on shuffle and the volume turned up, taking in all the beauty of my surroundings. 

As I carefully sip the cup of plum passion tea in hand, the song changes to comfort me, one of my favorites from Metals. I hopef you enjoy the album as much as I. Check out this article from the ny times on her new album.

the Bad In Each Other

Graveyard

Caught A Long Wind

How Come You Never Go There

A Commotion

The Circle Married The Line

Bittersweet Melodies

Anti-Pioneer

Undiscovered First

Cicadas And Gulls

Comfort Me

Get It Wrong, Get It Right

p.s. if you like feist, you may enjoy  cat power, bon iver, boken social scene, or laura marling.

(photo source)