As many of you know, the east coast has been slapped in the face with snow. In fact, last night we had another two inches, and no one would even know, because two inches means nothing when it's piled on top of two feet. But- I must say- I enjoyed my week off. We only had two days of school cancelations, but I was soaking up the sun in Savannah the week before. And going from 80 degrees to 8 degrees really made me realize which I prefer (sun, sun, sun).
Being cooped up inside- save the hour I spent sledding with my energetic little sis- really helped me to cement this weeks Friday five. As miscellaneous as can be, here are my five current musts.
1. American Teen, Khalid
This album........ Ah! It's so flipping GOOD. The song I used for my Savannah video was actually "Hopeless" for this album. Currently, my favorite is "Saved". I'd highly recommend giving it a listen, especially if you're in a music drought!
Khalid's album "American Teen"
Also another song I really love, "Wolf" by Skott.
2. Southern Charm
I don't watch much TV. One, because whenever I sit down on the couch it's so comfortable, who would want to get up? And two, I feel like I'm wasting so much time. My friends always remind me that I need to be a kid while I still can, but something about it feels so unproductive; unless, of course, I'm watching Southern Charm. :) It's a reality show based out of Charleston, South Carolina, that exposes the glamorous (and not-so-glamorous) moments of being a southerner in one of the wealthiest and prestigious areas. The next season is airing on April 3rd on Bravo- they have a recap of all seasons on at 7:30, and the new season at 8:00!
On the way home from our Savannah trip, my family and I stopped in Charleston. My mom used to work there, and she frequently visited King Street, the main shopping street. It was stunning- and raining! But even on the drizzly afternoon, hundreds of shoppers were out, musicians were playing their instruments, and pop-up stands were selling their products. It made me wonder what the street would look like on a sunny day! Then, like creeps, we drove by our favorite star from Southern Charm's house, Patricia. She's fabulous, and she lives in a house in the historic registry with her margarita-making Butler and throws parties like it's her job. Let's just say, my mom wants to be best friends with her. And her house...... Oooooooo boy was it beautiful. The towering pillars posed in front of the pink house... with. green. shutters. Patrica can pull those things off, let me tell you. And I couldn't tell you how badly I wanted to be invited in to dish on the southern scandals over a delicious (virgin) drink.
Enough of my fan fiction- Patricia had a flamingo party during the last season. And no, that's not code for some sort of event, it was literally a party with hundreds of pink flamingos- plastic flamingos in the yard, inflatable flamingos in the pool, and edible flamingos by the bar (cupcakes, I feel the need to clarify. Just cupcakes). My mom and I were in awe during the episode. But- it really left a lasting impression on her, because a few months later when I drove up my driveway to witness 40 of my friends yell "surprise" by the pool, and the abundance of flamingos, I knew she was tingling at the idea that we were throwing a Patricia-inspired party. She really is the best.
Patricia's mansion- Trust me, the picture doesn't do it justice.
Patricia's flamingo party... Recognize the pillars on the right? :)
My inflatable flamingos floating around... Mom named them Coco and Chanel :,)
My Flamingo Party! The most adorable (& festive) cupcakes.
"Happy 17th Birthday Hollis" napkins. Nice touch Mom.
3. Steel Cut Oats
Lately, I have been trying to figure out the perfect diet. Losing weight would definitely be a plus, but I really wanted to figure out what foods made me feel healthy. My Mom is gluten and diary free, a diet I tried but soon hated, because I can handle gluten and dairy perfectly fine, so steel-cut made a great go-to for our breakfast. Steel-cut oats are basically a better-tasting oatmeal, we buy "Bob's Steel Cut". Cook it, coat with blackberries, raspberries, and strawberries, drizzle with honey, and top off with a little milk, or almond milk. It takes around 15 minutes, but sometimes I will make all my steel-cut in advance for the week and keep it in fridge. It's the best, and outrageously healthy! Especially compared to all the sugary cereals out there.
4. Distorted Grid Project
I'm in art 3 this year, where we work on numerous projects to put in our portfolio for art school (aka fashion school for me). Our last project was a distorted grid, where we make a square grid on a picture and stretch, repeat, or scrunch one of the panels. I changed things up a bit, and gridded my shadow and pushed it in different directions. I completed this project with one black and one white prismacolor pencil.
My drawing! Needs some work, but hey, we have deadlines to make!
My reference picture.
5. Umcka
The other day it was 70 degrees. Two days later, I woke up and it was snowing. Mother Nature is crazy, and so is my immune system! I developed a little cold during the fluxing weather, and I wanted it gone ASAP. I already missed two days of school for a college visit, and then two more for snow days. So I couldn't afford a sick day. Luckily, my mom is a natural remedy and article addict, so she knows all the shortcuts. She bought me Umcka, the best cold medicine ever. I sipped the grape-flavored liquid the night before, and I woke up sniffle-free. I don't want to get into my full sickness story, but I can promise you if you have a cold, Umcka can do something for you. We get ours at the Healthy Grocer.
"I need God to consume me more than my life currently does."
Thanks for reading this week's Friday Five!
Xo, Hollis