Autumn Playlist

  Unfortunately, for reasons unknown, my computer hasn't been allowing me to upload photos to the blog. So for now, I'll have to post without pictures.

  In the past few days I have made a (very long) playlist of songs that I'm loving for this season. 

1. Summer Skin - Death Cab for Cutie

2. Happier - Guster

3. The Winner Is - DeVotchka

4. The Rush - Dashboard Confessional

5. Two Points for Honesty - Guster

6. You Make My Dreams - Hall & Oates 

7. Falling in Love at a Coffee Shop - Landon Pigg

8. 1901 - Phoenix

9. Such Great Heights - The Postal Service

10. Fidelity - Regina Spektor

11. Sweet Disposition - The Temper Trap

12. Nobody Knows Me At All - The Weepies

13. Vagabond - Wolfmother

14. Tonight, Tonight - Smashing Pumpkins

15. Quelqu'un m'a dit - Carla Bruni

16. Rock 'N' Roll - Eric Hutchinson

17. Can't Go Back Now - The Weepies

18. The Chain - Ingrid Michaelson

19. A Lovely Sound - Chase Coy

20. Our Swords - Band of Horses

21. Geraldine - Glasvegas

22. All At Once - The Fray

23. Xavia - The Submarines

24. Fireflies - Owl City

25. Closer - Joshua Radin

26. Creator - Santigold

27. Little Romance - Ingrid Michaelson

  The playlist is not finished yet though... so I'd love to hear your music recommendations!! I'm looking for music that will put me in a good mood while I'm walking to school in the mornings.

PinkBow in Paris

   PinkBow, a long-standing but recently-discovered (by me) member on flickr is inspiring me today with her gorgeous photos of Paris, taken on various trips to the city. Being an avid Francophile, I really must get myself to France in the near future!!

Jerusalem, City of Gold

  (the sunset in Eilat)

  Just a few days ago, I returned from Israel. The past 5 weeks were literally the best of my entire life. But as amazingly unbelievable and fantastic as my trip was, I am glad to be home in my clean, air-conditioned room, with my computer on my lap. Here are a few pictures from my trip that I hope you enjoy!!

 

(camel riding in the desert)

 

(the Dead Sea)

(this was taken on my friend's balcony in Netanya, while we were getting dressed up and preparing for the Sabbath)

(a shop in the artists' quarter in Tzefat)

 

(a synagogue in Tzefat)

(the Kineret)

 

(delicious lychee fruits at the shuk (outdoor market) in Tel Aviv)

 

(a distant view of Jerusalem)

(a view of the Old City of Jerusalem - the most gorgeous place I have ever seen)

She's Got It

  There's a certain 'it' that only French girls seem to have. As much as any of us Americans may try, we will never posses the confidence and stylishness of a woman who has grown up in France. In my opinion anyway.

  The only exception I can think of is the first ever French It Girl: Marie Antoinette. She was originally Austrian, but moved to France at age 14 (I believe) and learned rather quickly!

 Two more current French It Girls come from the world of blogging:

1. Le Blog de Betty 

2. The Cherry Blossom Girl

  Two more French It Girls come from the world of entertainment:

1. Charlotte Gainsbourg (singer)

2. Clemence Posey (actress)

Macaroons

  I'm a bit of a Francophile. I'm semi-obsessed with anything French. So the next two posts are going to be dedicated to French things: pastries, and 'it' girls. 

  French pastries have to be the most beautiful food in existence. As difficult as I'm sure it will be, I'm going to endeavor to bake some of my own when I return from my tour this summer (I'm leaving TOMORROW!).

  Anyways, here are some fanciful photos of macaroons and other gorgeous french baked goods. (My apologies for the lack of photo credits... I'm not very good at keeping track.)

Sun Dress

  An outfit bought for my summer trip. It makes me feel like it's genuinely summer, despite the constant rain.

(gap sun dress/ gap cardigan/ sofft shoes)

My Sister's Keeper

  The other day, I went to see My Sister's Keeper with a few friends. I read the Jodi Picoult book it is based upon years ago, and must say that I am not impressed with the movie remake. First of all, the ending was entirely different than the ending in the book. And not only that, but the movie ending was TERRIBLE. It's difficult to explain unless you've read the book, which I encourage that you do - Mrs. Picoult's writing is exceptionally good. 

  One good part of the movie was some of the acting. Cameron Diaz surprised me with how believable she was, as did Thomas Dekker. 

  The only other part I enjoyed was the soundtrack. The most memorably good song on it was Girls Just Want to Have Fun - sung by Greg Laswell. Click, listen, enjoy.