This ain't Your Grandma's Tea

I don't know where you are on this planet, as I'm not a stalker of any sort, I don't know what the weather is like in your neck of the woods, but here in the Bay Area, it's been pretty hot lately. And it kinda sucks... like a lot. And since I'm such a tea-a-holic, I want that extra caffeine buzz without the heat, so I came up with a simple solution, iced tea. Clearly not the new or inventive, but hear me out.

Guurl Grey and Hipsters in Wonderland from T-We Tea

I have recently been super into T-We Tea (a tea store based in San Francisco) and their super sassy teas. Besides the clever names, what makes them so sassy you may ask? The flavors of teas of course; they are the classics with a twist. If that isn't sassy, I don't know what is.

So you maybe thinking, "Girl, how do you make iced tea in those kind of bottles?! Magic?" No hunty, patience and a strainer equse mug thing from Teavana (that actually quite hard to explain simply) and I just add hot water and continue to fill and empty it into the bottle until it's full. Which, can be a pain. But if you don't have that... thing mug then use a larger jar and use a tea infuser and add warm water and let it sit in the sun (or boiling hot water.)

What I love even more about these teas is how different, yet so similar they taste. The cold Guurl Gray, you can taste more floral notes (yea, I'm getting fancy on you.) And the cold Hipsters in Wonderland tastes more carroty sweet.

So let's head to Dolores Park with a blanket, a book, one of these iced teas and maybe hit up Bi-Rite creamery and it will be an awesome day. I promise you that.

Style Spot: Still into You

Paramore's new video for "Still Into You" was just released and I am obsessed with the jacket she is wearing and within seconds (of opening a Dolls Kill email I've been waiting to open since I was at work) I found the jacket. And god is it adorable (and expensive.) Also, her awesome melting tights have been a big buzz lately. Have some links if you really want her look.

Paramore's "Still Into You" video

UNIF Pastel Moto Jacket $210

URB Neon Yellow Melting Tights $55

I must say, it's much cuter on Hayley than the model.

Destroying Tanks: Part 1

I saw this awesome Obey tank the other day and I thought of how easy it would be to make it, take a look at it.

Obey Tank $35

So after I did a half ass spring cleaning and a trip to Crossroads Company, I was left with this tank top and I decided it was time it give it new life and make it like the Obey one. And here's how I did it.

You will need:

A tank top

scissors

seam ripper

Sewing machine or needle and thread

New Found Glory's Nothing Gold Can Stay record (optional)

1. Turn that shit up.

2. Pick the tank you have chosen to dismember.

3. Take off the ribbing with seam ripper because if you keep it on, this won't really work. And who like ribbing anyway? (Little known fact, ribbing on tees is the only thing God hates.)

4. Take apart the top seams that connect the front and back. (You may also have to flip the record.)

5. Cut large almond shape into the back.

6. To create the twist effect, fold the top part of the back into the almond shape till your hearts content.

7. Sew the tops back together. Make sure you fold it inside out so when you sew it, the seam will not be showing.

8. Rock it!

There you have it, a new tank top! I know the process is very similar to making a vampire, but don't get the two confused. We are not creating eternal life, we are just giving new hope for a tank top. What do you think this is, Interview with the Vampire?

Where Have You Been All My Life?

Also possible title for this post; Reasons Why I'm Fat.

Stolen from their FB page because I was too busy drooling to take a photo of the truck.

Frozen Kuhsterd was one of the food trucks of choice for me last Saturday when I went to the Treasure Island Flea market. And I must say... Where have you been all my life? They guys working there were nice and funny (plus they put up with m sarcasm #win,) the custard, cupcake and donut and topping choices were amazing and it was SO GOOD! Like so good, I could have punched someone (don't worry, I didn't.)

We were in aw with the guys in front of us as we joked about the intense flavors and not knowing what to get. Do we get just the frozen custard, do with get it with a Mission Minis cupcake or with a donut? Well we figured go big or go home because who knows when we'll see this truck again.

What dreams are made of.

My mom got the vanilla with almonds and double chocolate cupcake. And I went with a breakfast theme, of a coffee crunch donut with cereal milk custard and cinnamon toast crunch cereal. I must sat, if you find this truck... get something, you won't regret it... unless your lactose intolerant, but even then... DO IT.

Pop Punk Meets Cross Stitch: Paramore

I'm clearly on top of things, FYI, sarcasm. What have I been doing instead of  movie lists, book reviews, DIYs and styling looks. Well, I still style looks, I gotta wear clothes. I have been reading (shit... what did I just finish reading?) and making *insert drumroll here* Pop Punk inspired cross stitches. *enter applause and your comments on how genius this idea is*

I know what you are thinking, "Really? It took you a month to do one cross stitch? You dirty liar!"No, it didn't take me a month to make this cross stitch, more like 3 hours. I have also been readings (clearly you haven't read the extremely short paragraph if you asked yourself that question) and I have also making some cross stitch patterns and indulging in Fall Out Boy's new stuff. And I know what you are thinking, Yes Fall Out Boy's new stuff is literarily crack, you don't want to put it down. It's amazing, go children and become addicted.

Anyways! Back to the cross stitch people! I know you want to scurry off and listen to "The Phoenix," but let's bring some attention to another of my favorite bands who has an album coming out, Paramore! So as you now know, I'm a huge Hayley Williams fan because she is such an amazing role model and great sense of fashion. I am a firm believer in her B.O.Y. (Beware of You) idea.

“I came up with it cause I wanted something that reminded me that I have the ability… power… (whatever you want to call it)… to build myself up or tear myself down. I’ve done an incredible job at doing both. And it’s my choice which one I want to be better at.”- Hayley Williams (tumblr)

So, here is what I came up with.

Hint for my work in progress: there are antlers involved.

DIY: Flower Crown

So I guess the really in thing right now are these flower crowns. So I figured I'd take a stab at it (at the time I didn't really mean to stab myself, it kinda just happened.) Now, in theory these are super simple to make; just get yourself some wire, ribbon and fake flowers (if you want it to last longer) and wala! But no, it wasn't quite that easy.

Things I learned after I made my flower crown:

1. You will want needle nose pliers so you do not accidentally stab yourself with the wire as you are trying to wrap it around more wire or flowers.

2. You will want to measure your head so you do not make the initial wire circle too small.

3. You will need ticker wire so it will hold up the flowers better. Or if you used thin wire (like I did) you can wrap like a coil, it will give it strength.

4. If you want it full looking like mine (full as in a lot in a small space,) you will need lots of flowers and on long stems. I tried no stems and small stems and it just didn't work.

5. A thin ribbon to wrap around loose wire ends because you don't need to stab yourself in the head and it will also keep the stems neat.

6. Have patience, it will feel tedious and exhausting, but like most crafts, it takes time.

7. You can make a full flower crown, but I liked the idea of being able to hide the back. I mean who wants to see a bunch of bumpy ribbon around your head?

8. Hot glue is also awesome to reenforce the flowers to the stems.

9. Mix and match your favorite flowers and colors, you can even add pearl strands like I did. Once you get the basics of attaching the flowers, you can really add anything else in easily.

I bet you guys didn't think I owned a wig, huh? Do I wear it, no, but it exits.

And presto stabo, a half a crown that you can easily hide the back under your hair. Magic!

This is Always the Universe's Fault

I just powered through The Fault in our Stars by John Green (I know I'm a little late on the game) and it was an amazing book. A cancer book that is not like a cancer book, I have never read a cancer book before, and given the description that Hazel (the main character/narrator) told, it is unlike a cancer book. I'm sure cancer books have the basics; the struggles, successes and tragedies, but this book was much more than that.
It follows Hazel's story of trying to just exist until her cancer ends her life and she decides that she wants to hurt as few people as possible, but she realizes it's easier said then done. Especially after she meets Augustus who not only pulls her out of her comfort zone, but also turns her life upside down. It shows their ups, their downs and their struggles to want to live a normal life.
I was told by a couple of friends that I needed to read this book, like they didn't understand how I haven't read it yet. And I was also told that I would be sobbing at the end, (and I didn't so I may just be heartless snob) but I felt like this book had a good mix of humor and seriousness and even if you don't have cancer, there are points to this book that will get you thinking about your own life and maybe you will even look at people in general a little different. Who knew that a guy who throws himself into walls, has had colored sharpie all over his face and balances things on his head is such a genius.