Hello all. Sorry for the little hiatus. As of now, I still do not have a computer and it's so difficult! I've never gone this long without my computer and trying to do the rest of my summer work has been beyond irritating. On top of me having to do summer work and pack to go back to school, my mom is out of town and my dad is the most forgetful person on the planet. I start field hockey in 8 days and I don't have cleats, shin guards or goggles. I need supplies for my dorm and last minute school supplies. Oh, and I have yet to order my textbooks. I'm stressed out about everything in my life and junior year hasn't even started.
On top of all of my problems, my family is going through a lot of hardship right now. Nothing seems to be going right. All I've been doing is praying and working and hoping everything works out. I rarely ask others for help because I'm obsessed with doing things myself, but I'll definitely be asking for some prayers within the next week. When I'm going through times like these, I start to wonder if God hears me asking for help. I know He does, but while I wait for the Lord to answer my prayers, I'm uncomfortable. I'm just going to continue to pray for the grace and strength that I need to get through this tough time and I know that God will take everything into His hands and everything will be alright.
As I anticipate my return to school and prepare as best I can, I'm really trying to remain calm. I need to keep calm and carry on regardless of everything that's going on in my home in order to start the year off on the right foot. It's hard, but a fact of life is that balance needs to exist for everyone. As I try to balance, I'll continue to do everything with poise and grace because in every trying situation I've ever been in, the Lord has given me strength through all of them. Strength and grace.
Signed,
Penelope P.
Wednesday, August 21, 2013
Tuesday, August 6, 2013
Monday, August 5, 2013
My computer is in the shop!
Hi everyone. Yesterday, I took my computer in to Staples to get the screen fixed and I have limited computer access until I get it back, which will be in about 2 weeks. I'm really sorry! I have to get it fixed before I move back into school, which is August 29th. I may be blogging here in there within the next couple of weeks, but don't be surprised if I completely just seem like I've fell off the face of the Earth.
Signed,
Penelope P.
Signed,
Penelope P.
Sunday, August 4, 2013
Honesty.
There's an old saying that says that honesty is the best policy. I could not agree more. If one is honest, they have a less chance of having enemies, are trusted by others and logically, though I don't know every single person in the world to know that this is an absolute truth, should feel less guilt than people that tell a white lie every once in a blue moon.
I know that I haven't lived the cleanest life possible. I've told my fair share of yeah-I've-done-my-homework lies and I'm ashamed of that. On top of that, I'm a very guilty person. I hold things over myself when it is absolutely not necessary whatsoever and it effects my life. Lately, I've been trying to forget about the dishonesty that exists in my life at times and just move on. But it's hard.
My point is writing this is that I want those of you that haven't been completely honest in everything that they do to relax a little bit if you feel bad. Everybody makes mistakes and, unfortunately, time machines don't exist. Deal with your dishonesty accordingly and from this point forward, make more of an effort to be an honest person in your life. Honesty is the best trait a person can have.
Signed,
Penelope P.
Signed,
Penelope P.
Friday, August 2, 2013
And last but not least, style icon #3!
Drum roll, please!
Norma Jeane Baker, otherwise known as Marilyn Monroe.
For me, this icon is more of a mental one. What I mean by that is that I don't really look to her outfits much for inspiration. I more admire her personality and attitude toward life. I know many think that because she was sex symbol, she should never be someone to look up to, but she did her own thing with her life and I really admire her for that.
Before she was Marilyn, she was Norma Jeane, a simple girl from Los Angeles. She was bounced around from foster family to foster family and says that the only time she truly felt stable was with her Aunt Ana. Norma Jeane had big dreams to make it big in Hollywood, but judging by her family situation, she was never expected to reach them. Though she was doubted, eventually, with the help of a man named Ben Lyon, Norma Jeane became Marilyn.
Her success didn't come easy. Numerous people told her off, saying she was too this, too that, not good enough, but she persevered. Ms. Monroe enrolled herself in acting and singing classes and updated her look. What puzzles me is her love life. I think, and I honestly feel like I have no right to an opinion on this, that because of her instability as a young girl, she longed for someone to truly love her. To love her and protect her. She married three times; once as a teenager to avoid being a warden of the state any longer and twice as an adult. I wonder whether the lack of stability in her love life led to her death. I personally believe that she committed suicide.
Despite Marilyn's difficult journey as a performer and the critics constantly getting on her back for being "too sexy," she was the best actress that she could be. She made sure that the people that loved her were pleased with her work. I mean, she never let me down! I truly admire her ability to keep going when times get tough. Though, as I said, I believe that she ended her own life, when she was alive, she was phenomenal. Yes, some may say that committing suicide is giving up, but I believe that she just went on to a better place. A place where people didn't punish her for being herself.
I really hope you all liked the little series that I did!! I will be having more fun posts coming up soon--I have a lot of ideas up my sleeve :)
Signed,
Penelope P.
Image Source 4
Thursday, August 1, 2013
Travel.
I've always wanted to travel--just find a flight, pack a bag and jet off to some place other than here. Don't get me wrong, I love where I live and all it has to offer, but I find myself longing for some place new. I've lived here all my life, and though I am exposed to many different people of many different backgrounds, I want to be able to experience that first hand. I've been out of the country once--I went to the Bahamas for a school trip in 7th grade. It was amazing. A friend of mine said to me once when I was telling her about it, "Maybe you're just so in awe because you've never been any place else." I didn't know how to take that really. I didn't know if I should feel awful because she's making it clear to me that I haven't seen anything of the world and that she has, or if I should feel neutral because it was just a comment. In the end, I tried hard to take it with a grain of salt, but it's always in the back of my mind when I get on Pinterest and see all these beautiful, colorful places that I've never seen in person.
I feel limited. I feel like there's an entire world out there that I haven't explored yet. And, of course, I know I'm young, and my life isn't even half over, but in the world I live in (remember? the shiny new Bentleys?) people are able to just get up and say, "Hmm, maybe I'll go to France," and they just go. It's actually quite fascinating knowing that these people have that much money at their fingertips to spend whenever they want. It's fascinating, but I feel left behind. I feel left behind and, quite honestly, poor. I'm far from poor and my family does have a lot of nice things and nice opportunities, but the cost for seven people to go to, say, Italy and sight see for a week would be astronomical. Our vacations take lots of planning no matter where we go just because of the sheer number of us!
Though I feel left behind, I know my time will come to go to the beautiful, awe-inspiring places that I dream of. And while I'm here waiting, I try to culture myself as much as possible--going to new restaurants, visiting the museums in my city and asking the many people I know from different countries what their lives are like. So, if you're not able to just find a flight, pack a bag and jet off to some place other than here, find some things in your own backyard. Museums, restaurants, and most of all, people are some of your best resources to "visit" a place you've never been before.
Signed,
Penelope P.
I feel limited. I feel like there's an entire world out there that I haven't explored yet. And, of course, I know I'm young, and my life isn't even half over, but in the world I live in (remember? the shiny new Bentleys?) people are able to just get up and say, "Hmm, maybe I'll go to France," and they just go. It's actually quite fascinating knowing that these people have that much money at their fingertips to spend whenever they want. It's fascinating, but I feel left behind. I feel left behind and, quite honestly, poor. I'm far from poor and my family does have a lot of nice things and nice opportunities, but the cost for seven people to go to, say, Italy and sight see for a week would be astronomical. Our vacations take lots of planning no matter where we go just because of the sheer number of us!
Though I feel left behind, I know my time will come to go to the beautiful, awe-inspiring places that I dream of. And while I'm here waiting, I try to culture myself as much as possible--going to new restaurants, visiting the museums in my city and asking the many people I know from different countries what their lives are like. So, if you're not able to just find a flight, pack a bag and jet off to some place other than here, find some things in your own backyard. Museums, restaurants, and most of all, people are some of your best resources to "visit" a place you've never been before.
Signed,
Penelope P.
Wednesday, July 31, 2013
Introducing style icon #2.
I can't remember the first time I encountered this lovely woman (well, not in person, but you know what I mean). I think it was a gradual process--enough history classes plus an interest in fashion just led me to her. I can't help but notice that she and Audrey Hepburn (see previous post) had very similar style. They were at their peaks at almost the exact same time and, though they created their own style for themselves, they were similar in a lot of ways in my mind. She also possesses a strong sense of grace and class, but in the more political spotlight. She was, after all, the first lady.
Absolutely love this one! I don't have the privilege of seeing this photo in color, but I can clearly see the square print, light trim and simple strand of pearls. I think that this number perfectly describes Jackie O's style--trim silhouettes, classic patterns, and of course, the signature pillbox hat! She also is donning a pair of white gloves and over-sized, black sunglasses. The white gloves give a certain ambiance to the outfit. That's quite vague though.... What I mean is, I feel like the outfit would've been missing something if she hadn't worn the gloves. It would've been missing something and, in my opinion, it wouldn't have looked as lovely. They gives the look of I-may-not-be-going-to-church-but-I-can-wear-my-white-gloves-because-I-wear-what-I-want.
Jack and Jackie in Hyannis Port, Massachusetts circa 1960. I would say that this is a more casual number--a tea length, floral, sleeveless dress. The waist is cinched, which you know I love and the neck is appropriate, which you know I love also! You can see that she is holding light rimmed, cat-eye sunglasses. I like this look because, though casual, she still manages to look elegant and glamorous. When people think of glamour and elegance, they think of diamonds and pearls, swanky parties and champagne, but here, it's the exact opposite. I think that Jacqueline Kennedy's elegance was engraved into her--it wasn't something that she was faking. She was a genuine classy person and that shows in this shot of her and her husband just acting casual.
This is the most formal look out of the three that I am presenting to you. Mrs. Kennedy wore this apricot beauty on a boat ride in India in 1962. Can you imagine wearing a silk zibeline, which is a heavier feeling silk, dress with gloves on a boat ride in Indian heat? I would be dying, so I definitely admire her for this one. I particularly like the bow that ties at the waist and the A-line skirt. You may not know this, but I am absolutely obsessed with bows. I can't even explain to anybody how much I love them. They are definitely worn with 95% of my outfits, so I love how this dress is accented with one. Once again, the white gloves are like instant elegance. Put on a pair and mind your manners and you're on your way to being a tad more posh (we can talk about what makes a classy person in my own opinion later.
Stay tuned for style icon #3! And I may start a back to school series. However, even if I don't, I will definitely be making a back to school outfit post for you.
Signed,
Penelope P.
Image Source 3
Image Source 4
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