Mishmash

The elements of this post won't have much to do with each other besides the fact that they occurred in my presence in the last week. First things first, last weekend was the birthday of two of my favorite people in the whole world! Karley and Liz, my cousins, both turned 22. Karyn, Karley, and I made the trek to NW Iowa for a visit to the Dordt College area to celebrate this huge worldwide event. Remy was a dream to drive the whole way. (Well, Karyn and Karley may not agree with me; the lack of cruise control is a feature I don't notice anymore. I just love that car so stinkin' much. I accept him as he is. And I also am overlooking a warning light episode that caused us to pull over and pop the hood like real live professionals.) On our way, there was a sign in the sky that it was going to be a good weekend. (Okay maybe it's not a sign but whatever. I liked it. And I had a fabulous weekend. So I'm saying it was a sign.)

The next video is going to knock your socks off. Last week Wednesday our Concert Choir at Trinity (of which I am a member...why they let me in, I'm not sure) got to join in with three other choirs for one amazing concert. Rehoboth, a high school from an Indian reservation in New Mexico, Elim, a school for disabled students, and Roseland, a Chicago Christian school, all came to our chapel for a combined performance. It was SO SWEET. I honestly think that I got a taste of what heaven is going to look and sound like from that night. Here's a video of the Roseland kids singing their hearts out. 

In addition to road trips and concerts, my mother and I discussed how I spend my money. Oops. To clarify, I did in fact work last summer to make more than what warrants a $36 tax return, I just made it working for the nannying black market. If I tell you any more, I'd have to kill you.

And, to top it all off, an extremely important event happened last week. I WORE LIPSTICK. I know, I know. There were the naysayers. There were those who thought it couldn't be done. There were even those who expressed skepticism (and rightly so) that I possessed the grace and coordination to maintain lipstick on my lips without smearing it all over my face like some sort of sad Heath-Ledger-as-the-Joker impersonation. But, lo and behold, I accomplished this historical task. My quest to turn into Zooey Deschanel is starting to look attainable. Write it down folks, remember where you are right now...this is the most significant piece of news you'll receive in a long time.

Not showing teeth because I'm not confident that
there isn't lipstick on those too. 

2011. Let's Wrap It Up.

Well 2011 was a huge year in my life. How'd it go for you? The biggest part, of course, was SPAIN and my life, friends, adopted family, travels, cafés, and adventures that existed in my beautiful city of Sevilla. (Yes, I'm still calling it my city. I refuse to let it go yet.) I spent my first summer out of Wisconsin, started my senior year, strengthened a few old friendships, and made some new ones. I got my first car, finished my last soccer season, and cut those blasted bangs back in my hair again. As I posted a few days ago, this blog has been one of my favorite developments of this year. I think this post was my favorite of the semester because of how honest it forced me to be. You can't lie to your blog, my friends. It's just not polite.

Another thing I've TRIED to do this year is step up my style just a tad. After a slight obsession with fashion bloggers, I decided that looking cute just makes life happier. It makes every day a little more of an event. So here are a few outfits from the end of 2011 that I've been saving up just for you.

Can't get enough of that orange cardigan this winter

Anna wore heels! Remember this day!

Frumpy-chic. Yes, I just coined that phrase
for my own purposes. Like for this outfit.  

My choir concert outfit. Wore it under a  choir robe.
I took a picture so SOMEONE could see it.

My favorite new shirt. American Eagle.
From Marshall's. 8 bucks.

Presh smile isn't it? British man outfit. 

I missed those high-waisted bell-bottoms!

Hoe-down anyone?

My Christmas Eve church outfit.
Skirt was $7.00 from H&M. A Christmas miracle!

And now, finally, because she is my style and life icon/inspiration, here is a little Zooey D to brighten up your New Year's Eve with her adorable self and beautiful voice. What are you doing for New Year's Eve? I'm going to party like it's 2011. Because it is.