So how do you start a blog post when you haven't written one in over a month?
I really wanted to start this with something exciting, I mean so much has happened over this last month and I felt like I needed to come back from my little sabbatical with a bang. Honestly, I've sat down and tried to write this post multiple times before but I think what I really need to do is just say hi, my name is Katharene, and I haven written a blog post in over a month.
Basically, the content I've been posting on my blog just hasn't inspired me lately. I haven't been able to get excited about writing, well, anything really. And once that starts it turns into this spiral of self doubt... is this post good enough? are people even reading my blog? why am I writing this?
Long story short, I came to the realization that I was overthinking what I was doing. Instead of sitting down and writing for myself I was writing based on what I thought my audience wanted to see, and that is not the type of blogger I want to be. I started this blog for myself and I want to get back to that.
So, here I am, taking a leap and resolving myself to put out the content that I want to create, because I am confident enough in myself and my abilities to not feel pressured by the thoughts of what other people think. You're reading this because you're interested in my thoughts and my life so... here I am.
I'm taking that metaphorical leap.
Friday, January 2, 2015
Sunday, November 23, 2014
November Favorites
I've been loving so many great things with the colder weather this month!
FASHION
Liberty London for Barbour
I literally cannot walk out of my house without my Barbour on when it's been as cold as it has been outside! I love that mine has the Liberty London floral print inside because no one ever mistakes it as theirs!
Short Boots
I recently bought a pair of short black boots from Joie, one of my all time favorite brands, and have to say that they are some of the most comfortable shoes I own. I wear them with every opportunity!
BEAUTY
John Frieda Hair Color
Instead of cutting my hair short in my usual fashion this fall, I chose to dye it dark brown myself. This was my first time trying any sort of at home color system and I have zero complaints. It's been about a week since I dyed it and I have seen very little fading and my hair is as healthy as it was before coloring. Also, there was just about zero mess because the dye isn't a fluid but a pretty stiff foam (think like foaming hand soap but more dense), so it didn't go anywhere I didn't want it to.
Berry nails
I've been wearing Essie's Berry Naughty, a deep burgundy color, almost all month. My one complaint is that the color can be a bit streaky if you're not careful, so you definitely need to sit down and take the time to apply even coats and wait for them to dry before adding another!
HOME
Candles
My candle addiction has come back with full force this year and I am as happy as a clam. My current favorite is the Godfather candle from Candles by Victoria. Her candles are all hand poured and the scents are absolutely to die for.
FASHION
Liberty London for Barbour
I literally cannot walk out of my house without my Barbour on when it's been as cold as it has been outside! I love that mine has the Liberty London floral print inside because no one ever mistakes it as theirs!
I recently bought a pair of short black boots from Joie, one of my all time favorite brands, and have to say that they are some of the most comfortable shoes I own. I wear them with every opportunity!
BEAUTY
Instead of cutting my hair short in my usual fashion this fall, I chose to dye it dark brown myself. This was my first time trying any sort of at home color system and I have zero complaints. It's been about a week since I dyed it and I have seen very little fading and my hair is as healthy as it was before coloring. Also, there was just about zero mess because the dye isn't a fluid but a pretty stiff foam (think like foaming hand soap but more dense), so it didn't go anywhere I didn't want it to.
I've been wearing Essie's Berry Naughty, a deep burgundy color, almost all month. My one complaint is that the color can be a bit streaky if you're not careful, so you definitely need to sit down and take the time to apply even coats and wait for them to dry before adding another!
HOME
My candle addiction has come back with full force this year and I am as happy as a clam. My current favorite is the Godfather candle from Candles by Victoria. Her candles are all hand poured and the scents are absolutely to die for.
Wednesday, November 12, 2014
Cheerleading is a Sport Too
Tonight was our tri-annual athletics banquet and all of the fall teams were recognized and praised by their coaches in our school theater, without much flaw, except for cheerleading. At the last minute our coach texted us saying that she was "sick" (we're still questioning the truth to that statement) and that she wouldn't be able to make it. The role of speaking about our season to a theater full of people was delegated out to the senior captains, myself and two of my teammates. We stumbled and stuttered through a painfully unprepared speech that was absolutely cringe worthy, and it got me thinking about what I would say about my sport and my team if I had had a chance.
If I had the chance, I would have told people how cheerleading is a sport unlike any other at our school. We don't have stats or awards we can throw out as indicators of how our season went, but what we do know is that we have improved dramatically and that we grew closer as a team than we ever have in a single season.
If I had the chance, I would have told people how cheerleading is stuck somewhere between a sport and an art. We have a preseason just like any other varsity team and train and condition on a varsity level. However, we also cut our own music and choreograph all of our own dances.
If I had the chance, I would have told people how I am sure of two things about every girl standing behind me on that stage: they love cheerleading and they love football. We were there for every touchdown pass Allan threw, and for every rushing yard that Demitri added to his career total. We were there for every blowout victory, and felt the pain of a heartbreaking loss that ended our season way too early just as hard as any player on the football team. I would have told people how most of the girls on that stage have lived through many years of NA football, through "true grit" and "relentless" and "big team, little me" (or TEAMe), and how we are more proud of the men of NA football than they will ever be able to comprehend.
If I had the chance, I would have told people how I love my team, and couldn't have asked for a better way to begin my senior year. I would have told them how each and every girl on that team touched my heart and changed me for the better, and I would trade almost anything in the world for one more day of NA cheerleading. I would have told the seniors how much I love them and hope the very best for them as we go our separate ways in the future. I would have told the juniors how I know that they will be some of the best leaders in the history of our program and know that they will be able to handle whatever the next season has in store. I would have told all of our middle-schoolers how proud I am of them for finding a home in NA athletics, an area dominated by upperclassmen, and how they taught me to look at the world with fresh eyes again, and a childlike sense of wonder and naivety. I would have told my coach how much she taught me and how I am forever grateful for having her in my life.
Lastly, I would have told the audience that cheerleading is a sport too.
If I had the chance, I would have told people how cheerleading is a sport unlike any other at our school. We don't have stats or awards we can throw out as indicators of how our season went, but what we do know is that we have improved dramatically and that we grew closer as a team than we ever have in a single season.
If I had the chance, I would have told people how cheerleading is stuck somewhere between a sport and an art. We have a preseason just like any other varsity team and train and condition on a varsity level. However, we also cut our own music and choreograph all of our own dances.
If I had the chance, I would have told people how I am sure of two things about every girl standing behind me on that stage: they love cheerleading and they love football. We were there for every touchdown pass Allan threw, and for every rushing yard that Demitri added to his career total. We were there for every blowout victory, and felt the pain of a heartbreaking loss that ended our season way too early just as hard as any player on the football team. I would have told people how most of the girls on that stage have lived through many years of NA football, through "true grit" and "relentless" and "big team, little me" (or TEAMe), and how we are more proud of the men of NA football than they will ever be able to comprehend.
If I had the chance, I would have told people how I love my team, and couldn't have asked for a better way to begin my senior year. I would have told them how each and every girl on that team touched my heart and changed me for the better, and I would trade almost anything in the world for one more day of NA cheerleading. I would have told the seniors how much I love them and hope the very best for them as we go our separate ways in the future. I would have told the juniors how I know that they will be some of the best leaders in the history of our program and know that they will be able to handle whatever the next season has in store. I would have told all of our middle-schoolers how proud I am of them for finding a home in NA athletics, an area dominated by upperclassmen, and how they taught me to look at the world with fresh eyes again, and a childlike sense of wonder and naivety. I would have told my coach how much she taught me and how I am forever grateful for having her in my life.
Lastly, I would have told the audience that cheerleading is a sport too.
Saturday, November 8, 2014
These Things Will Change
"If we don't change, we don't grow, and if we don't grow, we aren't really living"
When it comes down to it, my style, my image, who I want to be, that is something that is forever changing in my mind. I hate finality and I hate the idea of being stuck on one path. I've had the "preppy" image for so long that I'm just known as the "preppy girl" to a lot of people, but I don't want to be known for just that. I believe that nothing is permanent and you shouldn't have to be pigeonholed into one style, outlook, or way of thinking. I, along with most people my age, have also realized that we aren't the same people we were when we started high school. I'm not the little girl with the Lilly dress and pink hair bow anymore, and that is something I'm proud of. I'm proud of how I've changed and I'm proud of the woman I am today.
The way I see it, I'm still myself and maybe I'll have those days where I want to wear a Lilly shift and Jack Rogers with pearls, but I know that that just isn't who I am right now. People grow, the seasons change, and trends come and go, but I'm still me and am still moving forward on this wild ride we call life.
xx
Friday, November 7, 2014
Kat Von D Studded Kiss Lipstick Review
Those of you who know me know that I am a sucker for a bold lip and choose to rock it every chance I get. Last night I went on a spontaneous trip to the mall with two of my best friends and spent a ridiculously long time in Sephora hunting down the perfect burgundy lipstick. Enter the Kat Von D Studded Kiss collection.
I bought the color Vampira (apparently a cult favorite, surprise surprise seeing the inside of my makeup bag), a matte deep reddish burgundy with hints of pink. I absolutely adore the color but I have a problem with the matte finish on my lips, which are more on the dry side, so I pair it with one of the MAC lipsticks in the color Myth, a nude. The Myth is creamy enough to moisturize and also helps to lighten up the dark burgundy against my light skin.
Currently I'm choosing to rock the lipstick with a neutral eye, subtle winged eyeliner and a sock bun, but look forward to experimenting with different looks for the holidays!
xx
Wednesday, November 5, 2014
What She Read: October
October came and went and with it came a whole pile of book that I have somehow worked my way through. Whether for school or just for pleasure, here's what I read this month!
Sophie's World by Jostein Gaarder
Sophie's world is really less of a book and more of a short history of philosophy in about 300 pages, which granted may not sound very exciting and at times was definitely hard to get through, I don't think I've ever learned so much from a single book!
The Stranger by Albert Camus
This translation of Camus' brilliant novel poses some really interesting questions about consciousness and forces us as readers to think about questions that we don't necessarily want the answers to. A short read but worth the time.
Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell
Now I have never been into fan fiction, but this novel opened my eyes to that whole culture. I really connected with the main character, who finds new environments daunting but learns to find her niche with people that love her for who she is. I read it in one sitting!
The Reluctant Fundamentalist by Mohsin Hamid
This is definitely the best book I've read in a long time for many reasons. First off, it is presented in the form of a conversation, but we are only given one side of it, the main character's. We never hear from the man he is telling his story to except for what he chooses to share with us in his conversation. The story follows the main character's life as he tries to find a place for himself in american society without fully giving up his culture and traditions. It also leaves you with a lot of questions worth thinking about.
Divergent by Veronica Roth
Okay so maybe I'm not completely finished with this one yet, but I don't have much to say other than that it is pretty much what I expected going into it. Nothing too earth shattering here!
What have you been reading lately?
xx
Saturday, November 1, 2014
Becoming You
Confession time, I have a secret obsession with Youtubers. I love the content they put out, the things they've been able to accomplish with their fame, and the messages they're sending to each and every one of their viewers. Troye Sivan is an openly gay 19 year old guy from Australia and has been able to change the lives of so many individuals through his videos. I urge you to take three minutes out of your day to watch his latest video because I promise you you will not regret it.
xx
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