Something for a Rainy Day

Congrats everyone, we've beat the heat wave that has been rampant across all of the U.S this week!  I'm sorry I haven't updated in a bit - I blame it on the heat, it was actually too hot to function.

And now... it seems as though the summer might already be starting to end - weird, huh? It's been a cool 75 degrees (sad when that feels cool), shorter days, and orientation week is already starting again at some colleges.  On top of that, it's been raining... ew.

So on this rainy day, the question arises: what to do?  Another perk of having graduated from college, is that there is finally tons of free time.  Now I have a good amount of time to finally sit down and, *gasp*, read a book.  Yeah, I'll admit it, I love reading!  Novels, magazines, newspapers, journals, whatever I can get my hands on.  Didn't someone once say that knowledge is power? Or something?

 
As much as I love a good book to sink my teeth into, sitting in a park on a beautiful day... you know what's even better for rainy days?

YOUTUBE VIDEOS!!!

Another of my new found obsessions as a boomerang baccalaureate - I can entertain myself literally for hours, cracking up hysterically.  While I should probably use that time to continue my job search, the internet tempts my inner procrastinator too much.

Here are some of my faves:

The more times I watch it, the more I laugh

I wish this were me

Because babies are always funny!

Again, babies <3

Sometimes, I feel like this when I'm trying to walk up 

stairs in the metro station. Such a struggle.

As frustrating as it can be at times, to be living back at home, unemployed and poor... don't sweat the small stuff, this is a good time in our lives! So, if you are ever particularly bored and not wanting to face reality, the internet - especially Youtube - can be a best friend.

Go find yourself a funny video! Laughter is always the best medicine to get rid of the blues :) (whether it be from the rain, or from your parents driving you crazy...)

                                                                              Hysterically Laughing,
                                                                                                            BB

Snape, Snape. Severus Snape...

DUMBLEDORE!

Tonight is the night... at 12:01 am Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 will arrive in theaters!  After 14 years of books and films, this part of my childhood has come to an end.

Although I never dressed up for any movie premiers or waited outside a bookstore at midnight to grab a freshly printed copy of the book, it was still quite an experience.  The community of Potter fans truly has no limits; it extends through generations, cultures, languages, etc.  These books revived adults' imaginations, resonating with their inner "wizard" that had been dormant for many years.  I guess in someways, this is reassuring... we never have to fully grow up.

We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing.

- George Bernard Shaw

For those of us in the Muggle world, we have to wait until Halloween - the one time of year that gives adults the excuse to dress up and use their imaginations again.  For girls in particular, "Halloween is the one night a year when girls can dress like a total slut and no other girls can say anything about it." (one of the best quotes from Mean Girls).  So good news girls, only 3 more months and it's socially acceptable to dress up for Halloween again!

How I miss the days of having a costume box, just for college mixers and parties every weekend.  Little secret - I still have the costume box, hidden in the back of my closet, waiting for the day when I can use the (admittedly ridiculous) clothes and accessories again.  I mean, a giant sombrero is bound to be useful at some point ...

While I may have graduated, I'm determined to hang onto some aspect of playfulness.  Just because I have a diploma in my hand, doesn't mean that I'm instantly an "adult."  Maybe I'll pretend that it's a wand...

                                                                Wingardium Leviosa!
                                                                                                 BB

My Dream Apartment - HomeGoods Style

When I graduated, I had this fabulous vision in mind of my apartment post grad.  I figured that within 6 months, I'd be living in a cute little apartment with some girlfriends. Of course, it would be fantastically decorated - a nice little living room to entertain, bar stools and table top to make cocktails, and a plush couch for friends to crash on during the weekend.  And you know what? This is one dream I'm not giving up on!

While I haven't found an apartment yet (or let alone a job...) I've already started to buy things for my imaginary apartment.  Embarrassing? Psh, I think not...  It's an investment! I mean, I'm going to be getting my own place eventually so I might as well be prepared, right?  Isn't the quality of planning and thinking ahead a good thing...?

One of my absolute FAVORITE stores is HomeGoods.  I'm not over exaggerating when I say that I could decorate my entire apartment with stuff from there.  Not only is the store really well priced (with great deals and sales all the time), but the products are SO cute.  They have any style you could be looking for, from Bohemian to French chic.

While it might be a bit premature to already be buying things, I can't pass up a good deal.  Also, HomeGoods is really great at keeping up with the trends, so they are always getting new stuff.  While this is fantastic, it also means that when you find something you like, you better grab it quick or it might not be there the next week! (A terrible lesson I've learned first hand).

Another reason why I adore this store, is their online website.  Sometimes you might find an item you love, but not know what to do with it/how to use it.  HomeGoods' online blog gives great style ideas and helps put together the big picture of what a completed room will look like.  There is also a customer finds section, where people post their own personal styling of their HomeGoods purchases.  If you see an item you love, you can then find out at what store it was purchased.

I'm simply obsessed. (If you couldn't tell already)

It's fun too.  While every store has similar items, each HomeGoods has different inventory.  You might find a great chair at one store, and then have to rush around like a crazy person to all the other stores, in hopes of finding a matching pair.  Oh the shopping games to play!

For now, I'll keep on job searching (and buying a few things here and there...).  Maybe one day, all of my beautiful things will have a home. Until then, HomeGoods will be my home away from home.

I just can't wait to get my first set of apartment keys and finally unlock the door!

 Confessions of a Shopaholic,
                                             BB