tralala.

Hm so I am just going to talk about how happy I am, because I know it's not meaningful or artistic or whatever but I've had a really nice couple of days. So read it or not, I just like this mood I'm in. Yesterday school wise was really good, a new semester just started and I have all my favorite teachers again! And then at lunch Pablo was talking about how it must be rather painful to get a hickey and was giving one to his arm when our principal walked by our table then stopped to stare in awe. Then I laughed so hard I knocked over an open bottle of water and Amber was so surprised she sort of tossed her yogurt into the air. We must have looked insane but it's okay.

Thennn after school I had ballet! And we had a new girl who has just moved here from BELGIUM! I get the idea that her parents are ambassadors or something and she only knows a couple English phrases/questions. I used my very limited knowledge of French to find out that she's 13 and will be staying in the US for eight months. Oh, and her name is Clementine, which is so fabulous I can't even put it into words. She's so sweet and tiny and adorable, I wanted to adopt her. She's really brave too- if I moved to Belgium I sure as hell would not be taking a ballet class in a language I didn't understand! It's my goal to learn more French over the next few weeks so I can actually have a decent conversation with her.

After ballet I was supposed to go to my school's talent show, but it was canceled for reasons I'm not even sure of. But my best friend Syd slept over, which was lovely because she hasn't done that in soooo long. We watched Glee (which I must admit I'm obsessed with now) and Fantasia, ate vegan s'mores, got way too competitive playing Wii Fit, and talked and figured a lot of things out. And came up with the phrases, "You make me feel like a woodchuck!" and "BFF's R us. NO NO NO BFF's is we!" Oh yes and in the morning we made nutella and banana crepes. We're pretty awesome, yes.

Today it snowed, such beautiful snow! Maybe four inches. It took forever to get the roads plowed but I didn't mind because it gave me an excuse to stay inside all day. I decided to bake since I love how cozy and warm my kitchen gets in the winter. Perfect snow day activity. I made chocolate sandwich cookies (which are technically called "whoopie pies" but that's a disgusting name I refuse to use) and would be happy to share the recipe if anyone is interested. They were divine.
Hope you're all having nice weekends as well!

like OMG samesiesssss

The other day I found the Swedish store Modekungen. And while I have no clue what any of the words on the site mean, it does have some rather awesome pieces. For example, I found these cardigans that fit exactly how I’m feeling right now.. Do you ever have days where your attitude is just blahhhh so all you want to do is wear jeans and a sweatshirt and pull all your hair off your face and not worry about what other people think? I’ve been feeling like this for the past three days and I definitely hope it goes away soon. It’s almost Friday already though, hooray!

WOWW #5

Afternoon children, today's Word of the Week on Wednesday is...

IDYLLIC- i·dyl·lic. adj.
1. suitable for or suggestive of an idyll, charmingly simple or rustic
2. simple and carefree

I guess this word isn't too uncommon, but I just love it! Just hearing it makes me feel calm and tranquil. Today after my chemistry test, I wasn't allowed to talk or leave my seat until everyone else finished so I made a list of things I think are idyllic on my calculator! I could say that in real life I'm not as much of a loser as I seem to be on this blog, but that would be lying so..

1. Port Clyde, Maine

2. Spending winter mornings in my wool socks eating oatmeal

3. Mint anything, especially tea

4. This song, which makes me feel like I am in stuck in a log cabin after a snowstorm in Wisconsin


5. The northern lights (which I haven't seen yet but am going to at some point!)
6. Scones

7. Bicycles with baskets
Anything you'd like to add?

I am really really tired. I feel boring. I want summer. Or an adventure. Mrawrawrawrawrawr.

the positives of negatives

The other day I was inspired by Camille’s post about starting to use film cameras more than digital ones. It really made me think about how much our lives are dominated by technology- we’re so used to just clicking a mouse and finding thousands of pictures from all across the web. And with so many out there, can they really be genuine? Maybe a few are, but the majority are just forgotten in an overcrowded hard drive or deleted. On the other hand, I think all printed photos are charming, even if they’re not so high quality or “artistic”. I would much rather be given a photo that someone had snapped on a film camera, then taken the care to develop and print it on that beautiful glossy paper than just be.. tagged in a Facebook album!

So I’m going to start using film cameras and printing my photos a lot more. I have my grandfather’s old Canon, and now he’s sent me a Pentax Superprogram that is even better (yes I do feel rather unworthy). Plus I still have the old point and shoot I used as a kid. From now on, I’ll bring one everywhere so I don’t miss any important moments that I want to keep forever.

And okay fine, I must admit that I wouldn’t mind one of these Dianas!

Using film might take more effort and money than digital, but I think it’ll be worth it years from now when all of my most special memories are still saved on paper, ready for reminiscing on or sharing. Just my thoughts. Anyone want to join me?

zapatos!

So I never really liked shoes until recently. I can't tell you how many years I went through where all I would wear on my feet was black slip on Chucks. But within the past year-ish I've started to take more of an interest in shoes and see them as a continuation of my personal style. Lately whenever I look at my wardrobe I just think blahhh so I'm hoping to get a pair of new, eye catching shoes soon!

I really like Osborn Design Studios booties, because they're handmade in Guatemala with local materials and are fair trade. They'd look really awesome with just skinny jeans and a big tee.

On an Etsy note (HAHA when am I not on an Etsy note?) there’s always emandsprout. Because HELLO, tangerines are awesome.

Last, I’d love a pair of sequined Toms. Ooooooooh glitter. I feel like putting these on would instantly make a great day.

Okay now that I feel selfish and materialistic I’m going to call my friend so we can plan a bake sale to fundraise for Haiti.

leyla and ben

I love The Selby, I love seeing how people interact with their homes. I think probably my favorite house that’s been featured there is the one of Leyla and Ben from heartsrevolution. I have it bookmarked and have looked at it so many times, but it never fails to make me feel really cheerful and creative.

My future apartment will look like this- plain white walls, but lots of colorful decorations and trinkets around to liven things up. It must be a great inspiration for Ben & Leyla.

Also, I always feel inspired to paint a pink streak across my eyes whenever I see this. Hm. Wonder if we still have any face paint…

clip clop

So a couple weeks (months? can't keep track of how fast things are moving) ago, I mentioned by hair accessory obsession. Today I added to my collection with three new clips!

1.) Scrap fabric bow, made of a pretty peacock pattern

2.) Babuska doll! Who shall be called Olia.

3.) My personal favorite- origami fish! Made out of an old map.

Sorry for the not so wordy post, I'm on a final studying schedule and just wanted to quickly share! Hope all of you are having splendid weeks.

P.S. After the last post a couple people asked me how I figured out how to edit my photos by changing around the html of my post.. I'm no expert, I googled to find what I needed. But I'd be happy to explain a few tricks in layman's terms for anyone interested- just email me at kaleidoscopekiki@gmail.com.

Emily Browning

"I'm not going to do a pop album anytime soon. I'm not going to dye my hair blonde and wear pink mini-skirts."

I've liked EB since I saw her in the Series of Unfortunate Events movie like.. five years ago? She's really pretty in a non-Hollywood way and seems quite down to earth. I hope she's in more movies soon.

P.S. I figured out how to edit my html to do fun photo resizing/placement, can you tell?

Marc Johns

Marc John's flickr stream always makes me smile.




Who would've thought you could pack so much happy onto a sticky note?

I am.

Eating: Raspberry white chocolate yogurt, it's delicious yes

Feeling: almost okay, tired, happy my algebra exam is over

Trying: to crochet unsuccessfully

Liking: lists, clementines, big rings, dusk particles in the sunlight

Wishing: I were a stunt acrobat and could play the double bass again

Listening: To Mood Indigo by Duke Ellington

Happy Friday!

WOWW #4

Okay, so, today's word of the week on Wednesday is:

VEXATIOUS- vex·a·tious
1. full of disorder or stress: troubled

For example, this week so far has been very vexatious because I...
- got a 72% on a government test that would have gotten me an A for the semester had I done well on it
- can't tolerate my family
- have to study for my five exams, which start on Friday
- can't concentrate on said studying
- am finding it hard to even think of things to put on this list
- rawr
- grrrr
- gsfg;lfksg;lskfg.

The end.

blast from the past

So on the first day of sixth grade (when I was almost eleven, for you non-Americans), every kid had to fill out this "time capsule" questionare about our interests, friends, family, etc. Then the teachers stored them for us until we were done with eighth grade (age thirteen) so we could see how much we'd changed. When I first got my questionare back I kind of just shrugged it off, but I've just found it again two years later and think it's hilarious! Seriously there were tears rolling down my face after reading some of these. And I just wanted to share, hope it makes someone smile. I'm going to try and keep as many of the original spelling errors as possible!

Name: Caroline
Favorite color: Blue
Favorite food: Chinese
Favorite movie/TV star: Hilary Duff
Favorite music group/singer: Carrie Underwood
Best friend: Lynn
Favorite store: Limited Too
When I grow up I want to be a(n): geologist or interior designer

What are your most cherished possesions and why?
- My cat because I got more responsibilitys when I got her
- My ballet slippers because they show that I can dance with grace
- My cello because it's great to play an instrument

I get angry when: my family ignores me
My idea of a good time is: when I'm with my friends and time fly because I'm having fun
I wish my parents knew: I'm mad at them for making me move
I hope I'll never: be held back in school
If I had one wish, it would be for: a chance to sing with Carrie Underwood
I often worry about: people talking about me behind my back
I wish people wouldn't: hurt animals
When I finish high school: I want to get a full ride college scholarship

My best friends would say that... I'm shy when meeting new people but when I'm with my friends, I braver.
The most important thing in my life is... to try to do my best so I can strive.

Hahaha, "so I can strive"? WHAT DOES THAT MEAN? Obviously times have changed a lot (I promise I'm not obsessed with Carrie Underwood anymore). But some things have stayed exactly the same over five years. Overall I'm just happy I got a little chance to reminisce!

Now question for you: When you were little, what did you want to be when you grew up?

Samantha Everton

Samantha Everton- Vintage Dolls. So surreal and haunting but rather funny at the same time. Yes yes yes indeed.





I actually like photoshoots with children as the subjects a lot more than ones with adults. Themes are always a lot more impressive when they're shown through a kid's imaginative perspective.

original titles are for squares

Okay so I got tagged for this award like forever ago and am going to post it right now! My brain is too fried from school (week before exams bleh) to think of anything else original.
Thanks very much to Tegan and Sarah for tagging me! I can now rest assured knowing that I'm a haute mess. Now seven things (why is it always seven?)

1. I probably find it a bit too amusing that the names of my taggers are Tegan and Sarah, OMG like the band Tegan and Sarah!
2. I have a "necklace" of moles on my neck and a birthmark in my left temple, I love it.
3. I just ate a delicious pumpkin ginger cupcake, which can be seen on my cupcake blog!
4. Today I decided that I'd like a pet sloth. They seem very cuddly and warm, minus the whole sharp claw thing.
5. When I was younger I totally hated being white because most of my friends were Asian. I wanted to be Japanese SO BAD I cried.
6. I am queen at dance dance revolution for PS2.
7. My favorite number is 7 because when you multiply it by 3 you get 21. This somehow makes it a good number to my brain, even though I don't like 21 that much.

I know I'm supposed to tag people for this now, but it started soo long ago I bet almost everyone's had it so far. If you haven't though, take it because I want to read your seven things!

slightly late resolutions post!

Or I should say non-resolution post. I don't really like the idea of new year's resolutions, because if you pick anything too specific, it often sets you up for failure. Plus, you always end up accomplishing a lot throughout the year that you couldn't have predicted earlier, so it doesn't matter if you don't complete the resolutions you made in January. I guess if I had to pick a goal for 2010 it would just be to be happy!

And I've decided to restart my project 365. I randomly started my first around May of 2009 and really enjoyed it for a while. But then my life got a lot busier and more hectic, so I had a hard time taking pictures that really showed what I was capable of, photography-wise. And often times I wouldn't have time to upload my pictures until weeks after I'd taken them, which lead to me being overly stressed about which picture I took on which day and how a lot of them actually sucked. In other words, it stopped being fun for me. So I quit.

But I'm starting fresh in 2010, with a goal of uploading a picture to the computer every day to make sure I know which day I took it. And I'm going to make a flickr album that will hopefully motivate me to keep uploading. I'd be very happy to hear if anyone else is starting their own 365 Project!

Oh and while I'm at it, I suppose I'll share a couple of my favorite pictures from the uncompleted project.

Hope you're all having fantastic 2010s so far. If any of you have made resolutions, what are they?

Hi hi, got home from Nebraska very late last night and am still not entirely coherent. Meaning it's list time! Things I did in Nebraska:

1.) Ate lots of chocolate chip cookies
2.) Got thoroughly creeped out by this doll in my bedroom
3.) Tried very very hard to avoid drama with grandparents by not replying to controversial topics and smiling at their backhanded compliments
4.) Stopped trying to avoid drama with grandparents when they referred to one man as "that Mexican" and another as "a negro". And oh yes also when they said Kiki was a childish name.
5.) Read two novels
6.) Felt as if my brain was melting from boredom and lack of activity
7.) Witnessed sub-zero temperatures for about three minutes to show the vibrant social scene of the town
8.) Slept a total of 25 hours in 6 days

And now that I'm home, I'm going to:
1.) Make a bunch of hairbows
2.) Watch Matilda
3.) Bake cupcakes
4.) Not think about school tomorrow

HAPPY NEW YEAR!