Two Things That Let Me Know That It's Getting Colder:

1. This little crack in my window. And by little, I mean big. Like, at least an inch. OK-- big enough for me to feel the breeze on my fingertips when I work at my desk. And it's covered in lead based paint, so I'm afraid to touch it.

2. The e-mail I just got from Professor Thorp. It reads:

Dear Students,  

In Boundary Hall, the transitional times with weather can be challenging. It may be cold in the building tomorrow, so I'd dress warmly.  

Prof. Thorp

Thanks for the heads up, Professor. Not only does this give me full clearance to come in sweats and uggs, but it also makes me like you even more. Two birds. One stone. Well done.

By the way-- Happy Halloween, Everyone!

Corn

I went to a corn maze for the first time yesterday. To say it was cool would be the world's greatest understatement. I have heard whispers in autumns past about mystical fields made of corn and happiness (who am I kidding-- corn IS happiness) and I knew that one day it would be my turn to make such an epic journey, but never could I have imagined such a wonder.

We walked, and took pictures, and got lost, and ran through the fields, and laughed and took more pictures, and got more lost, and we made way too many corn jokes. But in the brisk fall chill, we had... dare I say it?... the best day of the quarter. I know, pretty big claim, right? 

In case you aren't convinced, Here are some pictures. Oh. And I made a short video. The best one I've ever made. Are you sick of those yet? Because I'm not... In case you couldn't tell. Don't worry. This one is only 3 minutes. That's not too terrible of a time commitment, is it?

If you want to see some more pictas, mosey on over to Frances's place.

Update

Hello, you. It's me, Julia. Back in action.

Let me fill in some blanks.

If you read yesterday's post, you know that Francerous the Cancerous took over for a bit and showered me with the most amazing written accolades that I was more than happy to post for everyone to read. Hopefully you liked the video about me. I sure did. If you hated it, you'll be glad to know that it is the last of the bunch for a while. In the meantime, to fill the void of fascinating information about my roommates, I am cooking up a little... expose, if you will, on personal style. More to come on that this next week. I'm excited about it. You should be too. Or else.

But, just in case you need a video fix in the immediate future or you might just cry, I have provided you peaches with a little "deleted scene" fun at the end of this here post.

Registration went smashingly. Got all my classes. But not without a definite stress stomach ache all day leading up to my time ticket.

Let's talk about hair. You guys are absolutely no help. Take a little scroll down the page and take a look at the hair poll. Could it be any more split!? Technically, me being a brunette is in the lead, but we must take into account that I voted (twice) on that one, so if we remove my votes, we are stuck with blonde and short hair in a tie. Oy vey. Come on now. If you haven't already, just vote! It's anonymous, so you have no excuse.

In other news, I am not going to confirm or deny the fact that the fire department may or may not have made a short visit to our house this week after a small carbon monoxide scare. In the off (or not so off) chance that they did stop by, let's just say that explaining to them that "We have all have kind of just been feeling sort of sick lately... and like.. getting headaches and stuff" isn't so much of a valid argument for Carbon monoxide poisoning. But, I mean, I'd rather be safe than sorry, right? It is the silent killer, people. Silent. Killer.

Let's talk about Halloween. At this stage in my life, I kind of hate it. I haven't dressed up in... hmm... 4 years? And I was THRILLED to hear that it is on a Monday this year, giving me some sort of legitimate excuse as to why I wouldn't be keeping the party going until the break of dawn, but, alas those crafty college kids just managed to plan a whole weekend of Pre-Halloween-Halloween-Parties. Drat. But, okay, just so I don't sound like a complete bore, I will say that I am going to a party tonight. Granted, it's hosted by the Christian Student Fellowship, so things won't get too crazy and I am still maintaining my lame street cred when it comes to being a reckless college party animal. Let's not get carried away.

No, I have not decided on a costume yet.

It's finally showing signs of some fall weather around here. Savannah is a lot like SoCal in that one day it's blistery and rainy and then next I'll be sweaty and sticky in 80 degree heat. Fickle fickle.

Today I am going to a corn maze with some friends which will be amazing. See-- I'm festive! I'm just not going to dress up like a slutty (fill in the blank) to prove that I love Autumn. I just won't.


And now, for your viewing pleasure...

It's Me, Julia.

Today marks a very special occasion. Julia Patton has given me, Frances Russell, free reign of the writing portion of...her PERSONAL INTERVIEW. I am the guest, if you will. I gladly took this wonderful opportunity for two reasons: this blog is actually read by people and I get to share the experience of knowing Julia in a whole post. Here it goes...

Readers: You, most likely, have either grown up with Julia, are part of the great Burlingham/ Patton families, or have stumbled upon this blog becoming increasingly steady followers. One very sad thing of being college friends is we have not had a background of friendship and memories. I have; however, spent almost everyday with her for the past year and a half and have gotten to know Julia deeply. I’ll tell you what I have seen (in short). I’ll speak on behalf of my roommates when I say that they have experienced these things as well and have been truly blessed by them.

Julia is a talker. She often sees this trait in a negative light, but this is one of my favorite parts of Julia. In relation to her curiosity, she wants to know everything about you whether it is your current feelings, family situation, background, or even the backgrounds of all yours friends. Not only does she want to know you, she wants you to know her equally. She is an open book and wants you to know about every important relationship she has had. Lacking in the amazing gift of communicating my feelings (even not knowing them myself), I have appreciated her calling me out on different things or simply asking me what is wrong. To even go further, she is more than willing to spend her time slowly figuring the situation out and helping me resolve it. Each roommate brings something different to the table and creates a wonderful balance of personality. Julia has brought honesty and care. She has truly invested in me and I in her. I did not think I would so quickly have the the certainty of feeling loved here. And I do have exactly that. Thank you, Julia.

I could go on and on, but what would be the point of the interview? I know these interviews have been long. If you haven’t watched one of ours (you should go back and watch them now), you should set aside 20 minutes and take this opportunity to get to know Julia. In case that didn’t convince you- there are tears, political agendas, secrets revealed, recipes shared, AND a “most embarrassing moment” caught on film… take the risk. See for yourself.

McQueen 2012

Diving for McQueen on Nowness.com.

Wow. I just watched this beautiful video of McQueen's Sarah Burton discuss their breathtaking underwater themed Spring collection. From the hand massaged fabric to the Gaudi inspired beading, I am in awe.

So inspiring.

I Think It's Time to Dye My Hair?

Yeah?

I mean, think about it-- all of the tell tale signs are there.

I am slightly stressed with school, I'm in the midst of my annual home move, and I've been a blonde for like, what? 8 years or so?!

What do we think?

To make it a little easier for you to decide, I've preformed a little faceinhole.com magic and given you a clean slate to judge on.

Please take into consideration that I may not have such a perfectly round head like the model, but I guess this will have to do.

To Dye or not to Dye?

If, perhaps, you are thinking "I wish there was an option that read 'Who cares? You are such a narcissist.' " I respond to you with a friendly "I care! Why are you reading my blog anyway?"

Things to do in Shakespeare that are More Important Than Shakespeare.

Confession: I am sitting in Shakespeare and I am not listening. 

I love Professor Tate with his bright red face and pastel colored shirts, and his Shakespeare class is something that I truly do look forward to every Monday and Wednesday, but today, there are more pressing matters that are making it hard... to... focusss... 

For one thing, IT is back. The dreaded registration week. You guys know how I feel about this. Don't you remember last year? And the sheer panic that takes over me when the big moment arrives? 

My time ticket is for Wednesday and typically by this time I have a list of my top choices for classes, and a plan B... and usually a plan C and D, if I'm being honest. But this quarter... I have nothing. Part of me is not worried about it because due to my earlier registration time, I should have no problem getting into the classes that I want. But I still have to do some research on teachers so I don't end up with any crazies. Especially because next quarter I am biting the bullet and taking four classes. Scout's honor. 

Also on the agenda, I must pay my bills, make a grocery list and respond to a bunch of e-mails that have been piling up for the last few weeks. 

The to-do list cannot get any longer. I refuse. It must stop today.  

Fashion Excites Me.

And I need a little excitement this morning. How about some inspiration for this coming week?

Charlotte

Just got back from old Charlotte town after spending the most lovely weekend relaxing and recharging batteries for the last four weeks of this quarter (can you believe that's all we have left already?)

The last time we were there, I failed miserably in regards to taking pictures. This weekend, however, I had my phone camera on at all times constantly snapping (...or tapping I guess?) whatever we were doing. 

Here we are at Dean and Deluca. Boutique groceries and designer coffee might not be that thrilling to you, but over here in the land of Felicity fans, Dean and Deluca is so, so, SO much more. Believe me when I say that walking through these doors and seeing the coffee bar and the black t-shirts felt like a pilgrimage of sorts and the most perfect way to end our obsession with Felicity. 

Friday night, we snuggled on the couch and watched a movie-- or at least tried. About 5 minutes in, 2 of the 5 of us had already fallen asleep and I think it's safe to say that only 1 of us actually watched the entire thing with our eyes open.

Saturday was filled with shopping and eating. Heaven.

I learned heaps about North Carolinian BBQ and got to experience some of Charlotte's greatest hidden gems when it comes to antiquing.

I love you, Mrs. Vintage Wedding Dress. Be mine?

Finally, a few snaps this morning in the Barnhardt's backyard (and one of the pups, Zoey) to soak up every last bit of fall that I could.

Pictures just do not translate.

Now we are home. And I am eating my dinner. And thinking about how not excited I am that tomorrow is Monday. Yet again. 

But then I pause and look around and realize that I am eating dinner in a house with heat and a floor and that pesky thing I'm dreading on a Monday is a college education. And I realize that I have no business complaining. 

How was your weekend? 

Workin for the Weekend

Yeep yeep yeep! We are going to Charlotte this weekend and I am so excited. It's going to be mid 50s and from what I hear, this beautiful tree covered city is starting to transition into reds and yellows. 

Maybe it's the latte I just downed, but my hands are literally shaking in anticipation. There will be food. There will be fall. There will be festivities documented in fotos. Alliterations galore.

In the meantime, we have a four hour drive ahead of us accompanied by a super playlist composed by Spencer and I of VH1's 100 greatest songs of the 2000's. It's amazing. Basically reliving the most conscious years of my life thus far.

It's Hip to be Hep

I have been so inspired by Katharine Hepburn lately. Her extremely tailored menswear influenced style combined with her iconic strong female voice, is what makes her so timeless and fascinating.

It's making me want to grab my tweed blazer and some flats and go conquer the world.

But, before I do, let's enjoy a little Philadelphia Story...

This is what Tuesday sounds like:

Last night was happily spent at my new favorite coffee shop, Foxy Loxy. Are you sick of me gushing about this place yet? It's $2 lattes and ample work space have quickly made it one of my most frequented Savannah hang outs. Other pros include the fact that it is across the street from the Savannah Public Library, caddy corner from Arnold Hall, down the lane from one of my favorite lunch spots (Butterhead Greens) and within walking distance of my house.

Besides their delicious (and no frills) coffee drinks, they also have a refreshingly unique take on cafe food. They offer everything from Tex Mex (churros and queso) to an artisan cheese and fruit platter (I tried it for the first time tonight).

Frances, Claire and I were extremely productive and as I snacked on my goat cheese and apple slices, I couldn't help but be distracted at the extreme goodness of the evening. I cannot imagine being at a more well suited college for my taste. Literally surrounded with great friends and "burdened" with homework of reading and thinking about subject matter that I absolutely love-- I am so blessed.

I'm such a goon. 

Just as we were wrapping up, a black hatted man with a guitar grabbed a chair and set up shop in from of the fireplace. Immediately, I thought of Alta in Newport and the musicians that would play on any given night. With his wiry goatee and semi-scrawny stature, I expected a singer/songwriter, Ray Lamontagne-esque voice to come out of his mouth... something soothing and thoughtful in such a quiet atmosphere. 

As he started to sing, I started to laugh. I had forgotten a key component to the Alta atmosphere-- Rule number 1: The voice you are about to hear will not be the voice you expect. 

Please enjoy this video of (through further investigation) Ray from local band Bottles and Cans singing his soulful heart out.

Olivia

IT IS HERE.

As I mentioned the other day, I finally sat down with Olivia to ask her a few questions, have a ball of laughs and complete what has come to be one of my absolute favorite things I've ever done on this blog-- the getting to know you interviews. 

As you all can probably tell by any of my blogging having to do with roommates so far this year, Olivia is the absolute best. Even though her moving in with us was pretty much the start of our friendship, I literally already have grown so close to her and cannot imagine this year without her. Olivia is an insanely talented artist, terribly smart and a positively kind person.

I'm going to stop myself before I make the video completely pointless and give all the spoilers away, but let me just give a quick shout out to her budding photography skillz because you should all go check out her Flickr to see how legit she is-- and to get a good laugh at me trying to channel my inner faery (Didn't you hear? I'm a model now). 

Oh! And also-- let me just make a quick comment on the length of the videos. Sometimes, when people come up to me on the street and recognize me from the blog I make my friends watch the videos I make, one of their first questions is why in the world is this video so stankin long? Well, young squire, my answer is this: Because I like it that way. When these videos are first recorded they sometimes are up to an hour long (you know how girls are-- we just can't seem to stop gabbing about makeup and boys and cleaning supplies and what not). That means I have to cut out 45 WHOLE MINUTES of interview gold to really get down to the real hard hitting stuff that interview legends are made of. Therefore, a 15 minute video is really like a small glimpse in comparison to what I could be making you losers watch. Basically, what I'm trying to say is... be grateful. And just watch the whole thing! Everything Olivia says is super interesting, I promise. And if not for her, watch it for the eye candy on the left. I hear she's single and ready to mingle. 

Kart Wheel

Last night we took a family walk and came across this empty lot in the middle of one of my favorite areas of Savannah.

A small soccer ball was in the middle of the grass. A soccer ball, like that of a small puppy, is an itch that simply cannot go unscratched for most people. There has to be some sort of interaction. I, on the other hand, see both soccer balls and puppies and shiver with fear. We passed it around for a bit and I once again proved to everyone that I had not been lying for the past year and a half when I said that I am a terrible athlete. Soccer especially, due to it's association with some of the most potent of childhood memories.

Eventually, we got bored  I kicked it into the street far enough away that I didn't want to run after it and I suggested that we stop playing. They took the bait and we moved onto something much more my speed: a cross country kart wheel competition.

Here we all are at the beginning of the marathon, still in somewhat good form and focus.

(L to R: Spencer, Olivia, Claire, Julia)

And this is after about a dozen or so when things started to fall apart.

Olivia and her cheerleading crony, Spencer won by a long shot.

Yes, that pathetic crumple of a human on the far left in the bottom picture is me.

I  love cool Sunday evenings.

Sharing is Caring

Yesterday while skyping with the dearest of Kaitlins, she listened as I complained at how hungry and tired I was. Being the most giving of sister's, she offered me some of her cereal.

I accepted and she proceeded to cyber spoon feed me.

Thank you, Kaitlin, for your generosity.

Still reeling from my 20th birthday, by the way.

Just because I haven't talked about it doesn't mean that there haven't been moments recently where I catch myself staring aimlessly at the wall wondering "How in the world did I get this old?"

E.M.W.

You will never guess what we did last night.

You just won't. So don't even try. 

Ok. 

We drove two and a half hours to Charleston, SC to watch... wait for it... 

EXTREME. MIDGET. WRESTLING. 

When Frances told me about this event a couple weeks ago, I was shocked (and thrilled) that something so ridiculous even existed. Midgets? Wrestling? This is too good to be true. 

How--? Why--? But... Don't they-- I mean... 

The questions in my head were coming too quick to even process, but after asking Frances to confirm my suspicion a couple of times, I was all in. 

So last night, Frances, Olivia, Tyler and myself all jumped in the car to witness this novelty. I was so excited. We all were so excited. 

After a lovely evening drive and some AMAZING fried chicken, we got to the venue. 

Hmm... why is it all dark in there? And so quiet? 

Well, the answer to those questions was that it, of course, was CANCELLED. 

DRAT! 

No. This is not a joke. 

Unfortunately, due to the lack of needed permits, the event was cancelled. Slightly bummed, but not devastated, we decided to make Giants out of Midgets and enjoy our night anyway. 

This just confirms my belief in if something is too good to be true (i.e. midgets wrestling), it probably is. 

We strolled the streets of Charleston for a bit before grabbing some gelato and heading home. 

I had decided earlier to record all the bits of our evening, including the wrestling, and make a small video and in spite of the change in plans, I was still was able to record the wonders of our night like I had planned to do all along. 

Here I give you a small video montage.

A short overview of the video: excitement leaving, excitement eating, confusion at arrival, sadness at it's cancellation, excitement for gelato, lethargy in the car, dance break, drive home, excitement at the arrival back at home. 

**Please excuse the language in the song-- I'm sorry. I really do apologize and I feel like there have been an awful lot of these disclaimers lately, but it just had to be done. Just put your computer on mute if you don't like it and complain in the comments section. I can take it.

I promise this aggressive language will not become a theme of this blog. Pinky promise.

Roomie Lovin

Remember these?

...Frances, Spencer, Claire...

Well, it's that time of year again! With extra roommates comes extra roomie interviews! I spent yesterday afternoon interviewing the n00b r00mie, Olivia. Then the tables were turned and I was interviewed. I am in the process of editing both.

Olivia's is lovely.

Mine is terrifying.

But they will both be posted later. Get excited.

Loved this Moment.

Germany, 2010

Bring me all of your dreams,
You dreamers,
Bring me all of your
Heart Melodies
That I may wrap them
In a blue cloud-cloth
Away from the too-rough fingers
Of the world.

Langston Hughes

Tears on my Cupcake

It's been an emotionally charged few days here in Savannah. You all heard about my "When it Rains it Pours" Week of October 2nd- 9th and now midterms are upon us. Oh and did I mention that we finally finished all four seasons of our favorite show, Felicity? I feel lost without the constant back and forth of Ben and Felicity and their sassy barista boss, Javier. I find myself wondering what they are doing now? Whether Felicity let her hair go back to it's natural curl and considering the pros and cons of Ben over Noel. (Losing her may actually be the biggest blow at this point).

The dishes in the sink are mine and they are dirty (I take full responsibility), there are matte boards and paint swatches all over the living room thanks to a especially time consuming repeat pattern project Claire and Frances are working on, little pieces of embroidery thread are stuck to the couch from Spencer's (amazing) fiber's embroidery situation, I can hear an English accented Olivia upstairs re-re-re-reciting the Shakespeare piece she must know by 11:00 today and I am just now noticing a lone box of tampons on the floor under the table perhaps strategically placed for easy access amongst the chaos that is this week.

We are all running on empty, but I must admit, I am coming out on the other side. My biggest low was definitely sometime last week post Shitfest 2011 in Fashion Tech when I had to baste and re baste my zipper 6 separate times to get the teeth to match up my seam line wasting all 2 and half hours of class on something that should take 20 minutes tops. This should not be that hard. I found myself leaving class and driving in auto pilot straight over to a local bakery to eat my emotions. This is when things got low. Reaching the front of the line, I noticed that they were sold out of my Star Brownie. What a joke. And there, in the line at Back in the Day Bakery, I broke down in tears.

Quiet enough to not cause a scene, but wet enough that the girl behind the counter noticed, I sort of kind of blurted/ kind of laughed/ kind of sobbed "So, you're out of the Star Brownies?" then holding my breathe in a way that I think makes me look normal. "No-- sorry, we just sold out." It was the culmination of everything that had me walking back to my car with a box of 6 cupcakes that I didn't want with tears streaming down my face.

I wouldn't really consider myself a big cryer. I never cry for pity or for attention or during hard conversations and I'm not one of those girls who seems like she cries almost more than she laughs or than she thinks. And I will not confirm or deny the fact that at one point in my life I was seeking professional help concerning my lack of emotion. But I will admit to crying at completely unexpected and inopportune moments of weakness. When it's the last straw that breaks the camel's back, there will be tears. And in the spirit of full disclosure, sometimes I like it. This is why I completely loved (and cracked up at the timing) of this article I recently read on public crying. Her description of the way crying is not only sometimes necessary but welcomed is so exactly spot on.

So here's to the tears! Let them flow like milk and honey at a time that couldn't be more inconvenient.

Also, this video of Dane Cook crying has cracked me up for years. Pretty much the perfect description of my crying routine. PLEASE do not watch if you are easily offended by language. He says the F word seven times and the S word twice. Oops. Contrary to recent posts, I'm typically not a huge fan of expletives (or Dane Cook for that matter) but this is too good.

Givenchy Couture

Just a little Tuesday morning high fashion to make your morning.

What a Week.

Honestly. How in the world has it already been a week since last Sunday? I'm sitting in our kitchen on the couch that we just moved into the corner of the room (best decision we've ever made) eating spaghetti and looking back on the week I've had and it is just ridiculous.

Let me give you a little recap:

(Heads up-- I'm not in the mood for sentence structure)

Sunday: Get a tour of the most amazing house for rent. In our price range. In a great location. Plenty of room. All we need to do is gather references and meet with the renters on Friday afternoon to convince them that we are competent and responsible. (AKA: we won't wreck the house in a drug fueled art school kid haze like the last renters). Yay! This is so great.

Monday: Woke up at 6:30 to go stand in the line at the SCAD theater for tickets to the Savannah film festival. The tickets sell out fast, so it's important to get in line early so when they go on sale at 10:00, we get first dibs. Things get awkward when we find out that the tickets are also available online at 10:00. And they sell out before we even get to the front of the line. The film majors in front of us in line are extremely disgruntled. One of them pulls out a video camera and confronts the volunteer in a heated rage. She is polite. He is not. He threatens to expose all of them for slanderers with this footage.



Tuesday: A blur. All of us working our butts off to get tons of recommendations for the house. Got an awesome care package from mom. She rocks. Ate too much candy. She still rocks, but I am irrationally mad at her for making me eat all of that candy.

Wednesday: Started my own mini fashion club with Baille Younkman to motivate, inspire and hone our fashion souls in each other and ourselves. Good conversation ensues. I love Baille. Also, on Wednesday, we begin to smell suspiciousness in the downstairs bathroom, but think nothing of it. What fools, we are.

Thursday: The toilet explodes. We are all familiar with that story at this point, no? Shit everywhere.

But, hey-- at least we are moving into our beautiful new home soon! And, my equally beautiful new loafers made it in the mail. My life is complete.

Friday: Wake up in the morning already anxious (good anxious) for the meeting with the renters tonight at 5:00. Can't wait to impress them with our manners and cute outfits that we have been planning all week. Chic and serious, yet still true to our own individual style. Get home from some errands to find that the renters have cancelled our meeting because they decided that they just didn't want to rent to SCAD students. But, they didn't even give us a chance to show them our recommendations! So lame. Kind of grumpy all day. Go see the Ides of March. Politics get me riled up. But Ryan Gosling makes everything better.

Head home and laugh with my roommates for a solid 4 hours. Discuss how mad we all are about the house. Laugh some more. Decide to hit the hay. Everything is quiet. Gunshots fire. Someone has been shot! I call 911. Just kidding. It's just the transformer outside my window blowing up thanks to the neighbor's walnut tree branch falling on it and starting a fire. No biggie. But, I actually did call 911.



We take advantage of the power outage and light candles and take pictures.

Saturday: I wake up tired from the lack of rest in the last few days. No time to sleep in because we are having a brunch with the most loveliest of girls. It's entertainment time. I put on bright colors to distract from the bags under my eyes. Baked goods errywerrr. I contribute home made scones with blue cheese spread and blackberry jam. Divine.

The brunch went swimmingly and now I can finally sleep. Change into dark colors. Climb into bed. Close eyes. Drift, drift, linger, sleep. Door bell rings. IS THIS A JOKE? Matt and Tyler are here to eat all of the brunch leftovers. Eventually the day ends with a walk, coffee, and charades.

Life is so good. But such an emotional roller coaster. What'd I tell you? What a week, am I right? I am so full of spaghetti I can barely breathe. But I couldn't be happier. I am so thankful for my roommates.

For the record, this week also included a naked bottom. But this cannot be blogged.