Mint Lemonade // Recipe

Yeah, I know this is pretty ridiculously simple to make, but when I was looking for recipes last year the only ones I found were like "put mint leaves in your lemonade" and let me tell you, drinking lemonade that's got mint leaves floating around in it (besides one large leaf for a garnish in a picture) is not very pleasant! So I came up with my own way...

Need: fresh mint or mint tea, 3 cups water,  3 1/2 cups ice, 1 cup lemon juice, 1 cup sugar

1. Brew a strong cup of mint tea. I used handful of fresh mint and let it steep in 1 cup boiling water for 15 minutes, but if you don't have fresh mint on hand, you could use one or two tea bags.  2. In a pot on the stove combine 2 cups of water and 1 cup sugar, and heat until the sugar dissolves.  3. Pour the lemon juice, sugar water, mint tea and remaining 3 1/2 cups ice into a large pitcher and mix until combined.  4. Refrigerate until cool, and then serve in glass or jar of your choice.

Take it All Away // Daily Outfit

I wore this outfit a few weeks ago. I got this dress last summer, but I've only blogged it once before. This time, I wanted to find a way to wear it that would be very "me" despite it's very boho look. I like the outcome.

The last week of school is going well so far. I don't have too much to do, despite seriously procrastinating with my geometry. Ooops! Just trying to power through this and get to Sunday when my parents and I shall hopefully drive out to the electronics store my uncle works at to get my baby (aka the Canon 60D). Which means that, Lord willing, this should be my last week taking outfit photos with a point and shoot! Woohoo!! *cheers*

On another note I'm seriously, seriously addicted to Sky Sailing at the moment, I'm seriously lusting after this shirt. I mean, how cute is it!?

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dress: vintage thrifted

belt: thrifted

jacket: Ebay

sandals: ModCloth

bag: ModCloth

sun glasses: gift from Miss Jack

Summer Mixtape // Music Monday

Since it is the beginning of summer, I decided that instead of sharing just one song today, I would borrow Bonnie from Flashes of Style's idea and share a select few of my all time favorite summer songs. I hope you all enjoy them. If you want to, leave a comment with one - or a few - of your favorite summer songs. I'd love to check them out! ♥

Honey and the Bee // Owl City

Way to Mandalay // Blackmore's Night

Lazy Day // Enya

Kamikaze // Owl City

Hidden Away // Josh Groban

You Belong with Me // Taylor Swift

Flora's Secret // Enya

Renaissance Faire // Blackmore's Night

Underneath the Sycamore // Death Cab for Cutie

Umbrella Beach // Owl City

Look Back at Me // Daily Outfit

I wore this outfit on Thursday. It feels like ages ago now. Life has been so busy lately. Friday will be my last day of school, and I'm really excited to be done, but also a bit apprehensive. I thought I knew what career I wanted to get into after HS, but now I'm very unsure if that will be a good fit for me, and I'm feeling incredibly lost. I don't do well without a goal to shoot for...

In happier news, I've been really trying to get better at accessorizing lately - especially since there's very little layering to be done in the heat of summer. I picked up these two black + gold bracelets at the thrift store for less than two bucks each. Not bad, huh!? And I really love this dress. I don't know what made me think to pair it with this cardigan (that honestly doesn't really match...) but I can't help but love them together! I love the silhouette of strapless dresses even if I don't love having my shoulders bare. *winks*

Also, for any of you who don't know, the title of this post comes from one of Mr. Thornton's lines in one of the sweetest scenes of North & South. Seriously, y'all. You need to see that movie pronto. ♥

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dress: Francesca's Collections

belt: thrifted

cardigan: from my mom

boots: Blowfish Shoes

bag: ModCloth

bracelets: thrifted

sun glasses: Target

In Case All the Magic Dies // Daily Outfit

I haven't posted an outfit post in a long while. I have nearly a weeks worth of back logged posts, but I decided to post this one from yesterday, anyway, since I love these pictures so much.

I've spent the greater part of the week so far working on the invitations for my graduation party. I made a total of 35, and got 21 of them sent out yesterday. (I need help finding the addressees for the rest of them.) Whenever I need to go to the post office I always go to the one a few towns over, since the PO in my town is in a rather sketchy neighborhood and I don't like going there by myself. It's about a twenty minute drive to the one I like to frequent, but it's a lovely drive, and I feel safe going there by myself - that alone is worth the extra time + gas money, to me! It doesn't hurt that it's in one of the loveliest towns around. It reminds me of somewhere in Europe, and there are so many wonderful locations for photos - take this lovely produce stand, for instance. I mean, does it get any cuter than this!? ♥

P.S. This is the same skirt + jacket I wore to the Madwell style event where I met Teika (so much fun!)

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skirt: ModCloth

belt: thrifted

jacket: Ebay

sandals: Lulu's

bag: ModCloth

sun glasses: Target

Wish List Wednesday

1. Scenic Success Tee
2. Flee Market Find Necklace
3. It's Fate Flat in Fuchsia
4. Cuter than Cute Top
5. Gotta Handle it to You Bag
6. Cat's Got Your Look Sunnies in Black
7. Brush of a Feather Bangle
8. Buckle Me Up Satchel in Black
9. Wrap-sody in Blue Watch
10. Sail Bow Flat
11. Let's Bring Back Journal

North & South // Movie Review + Ramblings of a Fangirl

My sister finally got me to watch North & South. Oh my goodness. Where to begin?

For those of you who don't know, North and South follows Margret Hale - a preachers daughter who moves to the industrial town of Milton when her father quits his parson. There in Milton she meets Mr. Thornton. He is the master of Marlborough Mills, and is a good man, works hard, and tries his hardest to treat his employees fairly. Unfortunately, however, Margret's first encounter with him is when she witnesses him beating up one of his employees who was (once again) smoking inside the work rooms - thereby endangering everyone there since the cotton is so flammable. She dislikes him instantly, and no matter who tells her that the man deserved it, she refuses to changer her opinion of Mr. Thornton. He, however, feels quite differently about her, and actually ends up falling in love with her.

The story deals with more than just the relationship between Margret and Thornton, however, but also delves a bit into the conditions between workers and "masters" in 1850's England's industrial business. When the workers strike, Mr. Thornton is forced to get workers from Ireland since he cannot afford to meet the demands of the union. The union workers riot and Margret ends up being injured by a large rock that was thrown in Thornton's direction.

I don't want to giveaway too much, but it really is one of the best movies I've seen before. The story is really interesting and keeps you eager to see what happens next. There really isn't a dull moment, because even though there isn't a lot of adventure (besides that one riot) there is a lot of tension throughout the whole movie between the workers + the masters, and between Margret + Thornton, and Thornton really is almost too sweet.

I've watched it twice already in the last week, and I'm hoping/planing to watch it a third time. It's just one of those movies I cannot get enough of. Even the soundtrack is perfect. It's haunting and eery but in gorgeous, a beautiful way. It suits the movie + story so perfectly.

Just writing this makes me want to watch it again! ♥