Priorities Rising

Pretty Wedding Things

My favorite picture from 

my sister Stacey's Wedding

What an eventful weekend.

Yesterday, on September 26th, my sister Stacey got married to one incredible man. The wedding was to die for, mind blowing, and just breath-taking. I could go on for years telling you the details, but instead I'll just give you the link to my facebook album of the pictures I've gathered up thus far. 

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2052220&id=81402495&ref=mf

I wish I could say that things are finally going to settle down now that the wedding has passed, but in reality, things are just going to get a little bit crazier. I have big plans that I was saving until after the wedding. I'm going to continue the WillyB. apartment hunt. This is necessary and I can not wait to finally find a solid place with a solid hipster roomie. Prim Suspect needs lots of attention, I've been preoccupied a bit, but can now go 100% full force now that I can actually dedicate my free time to the line. I've also started an Etsy account, selling ring bearer pillows, due to the overwhelming positive comments made on the previous pillows I've made for weddings. You can check out my Etsy shop, which is conveniently named Hipster Sister, here:

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=8083938

Eventually, this line will expand to lots of "knit" things. But that's a little further down the road. Speaking of knit things ...

My sister Nicole and I have decided to take on knitting. I learned to knit in a fashion class I took, but never actually had the time to keep up with it. I'm going to change this and make time to keep up with it. Priorities are priorities, no?

I've also been engulfed in going to lots of shows. Recently I've gone to see The Rapture. Last Thursday I saw Muse and U2, and tomorrow night I'm seeing Phoenix. I could not be more excited for Phoenix. I just hope this show is going to be as amazing as I'm imagining it to be in my head, although I'm sure they never, ever disappoint.

Hope you all had the sweetest weekend! More updates coming soon...promise.

Current Listen: Little Secrets - Passion Pit

Against the walls, Against your rules, Against your skin.

It's been settled. 

October third, I am going to Daredevil to book my appointment for this tattoo ...

A feather on my rib cage. After I stop crying over the pain, I'm picking up my boot straps and going in for round two to get this, with a few minor tweaks ...

Placement of this one is still unknown. I'd like an arm tattoo, but I'd also like to still be a part of my family afterwards. In fact, I'd like an entire sleeve, but then I'd probably have to change my last name to Sanchez or something, as I'm sure I would be no longer welcome in the Pinho household. (My family thinks I'm some sort of rebel ever since the nose ring incident. Look, you're only young once. And I wan to remember some of my best years.)

Thank God there's a super long wait at Daredevil Tattoo, or I'd walk in with nothing but clothes on, and walk out tattooed from nose to toes. It could happen. But it probably shouldn't.

This week is going to be the best ever. Ready? 

Wednesday night, Pastor Chuck Smith is speaking at my church. Google him, he's a big deal. I'm ready to be inspired and have my life changed a little bit. Who wouldn't be up for that? Thursday night I'm seeing Muse and U2. I know, I already died over it. 

Saturday is my sister's wedding. Baller. 

And then monday I'm seeing Phoenix at the Electric Factory in Philly. My party pants are in the wash as we speak. 

THEN, on October 28th, I'll be in NY for a few days and seeing Lotus. This is way too much excitement for me to handle all at once. Every time I think about it, I want to throw up. I mean that, of course, in the most pleasant way possible. 

There. Now you have my entire itinerary for the rest of the year. Events are subject to change. I'm sure there were be a bazillion new additions to that list. 

Oh, and for those of you who haven't heard. I have a rapper name, which has been (semi)legally changed to Lil Dipper. AKA Lil Dippzzzzz. Add all the z's you want. Fair game.

If you haven't noticed, I've been living off of Venti quad vanilla soy toffee nut latte's from Starbucks, Five Hour Energy shots, and Red Bull shots. I think my body is just going to start producing caffeine instead of blood soon. I welcome that with open arms. 

Current Listen: Little Secrets - Passion Pit

Everything Far And Few Between

Over your head?

In preparation of reading quite possibly the most sporadic blog thus far, let me assist you in a little breathing excersise to help you collect yourself and focus. Ready?

Breathe in ... one ... two ... three ...

Breathe out ... one ... two ... three ...

Repeat 3x.

The amount of coffee and Five Hour Energy shots I have been ingesting is almost sickening to think about. I don't know how I don't gag when I pass a Starbucks, or when I see a coffee pot half empty. And those Five Hour Energy shots taste like something died in your mouth and wasn't in any rush to leave. Absolutely horrific tasting, but the after math of a Five Hour Energy shot is way too good to not endure the pain of it. One of my Twitter followers recommended the Red Bull Energy Shots. My skepticism is at it's peak. I lost all faith in Red Bull when I drank the medium sized can and fell asleep for the entire night afterwards. I want my $4 back.

This month has been stuffed like a chinese dumpling with ridiculous shows. #1. The Rapture. Which, obviously needs no explanation. #2. Muse/U2. I can't even talk about it ... I get so excited when I think about it, it makes me want to throw up a little bit. I've never seen Muse live. And I'm pretty sure I might experience an out of body experience during that set. #3. Phoenix. I have serious expectations for this show, expectations that I'm sure will be beyond exceeded. #4. Lotus. I can't even get into it. It's going to be great.

I've been submerged in really awesome friends, really good music, really good shows, really good bike rides, and honestly? I can't think of being in a better place than I am right now. It's weird to be in a place and realize, this is it ... this is as good as it can get. I'm not going to complain about a thing. I'm one happy hipster.

Speaking of happy hipster ...

I've decided that on October third, the weekend after my sisters wedding, I'm going to NY to make my tattoo appointment. Something tells me I will be moving to Brooklyn extremely shortly after (my mother said I'm out if I get a tattoo ... I'll do what I can to make it easier to get out, trust me.). I have two that I know I want. But my first one will be on my ribs, so I may never go back for my second. Because nobody likes to be stabbed in their ribcage continuously with a vibrating needle...

Here's a weird coincidence ... I've been listening to a bunch of albums in my car, specifically, Owl City, Young Love, Pete Yorn, Cold War Kids, and Muse, and on every single one of those albums, I love number three and number eleven. Totally unplanned. And totally weirder to me than it is to you ...

Clearly, I have way too much to blog about. So we're going to cut this and start fresh tomorrow. I was actually thinking of making a vlog (video blog for those of you who are out of the loop a bit), on whatever you, my faithful readers choose. I was thinking of starting off with maybe a video of what goes into a design for my clothing line, Prim Suspect, or a "Facts About Me" video. Ya'll can choose this vlog for me. I'm feeling extra generous. 

Current Listen: We Used To Vacation - Cold War Kids   (Musically it reminds me of Muse, no?)

Finding.

Steampunk closet, anyone?

I feel like I've been "finding" a lot of really cool things lately. More so than usual.

I'm fully aware that I'm not so typical. I, in fact, pride myself in that. I dislike all things mainstream (with the exceptions of a few annoyingly catchy songs that I'll catch in someone's car on the radio). "Odd" things are my favorite, "it takes a certain person to pull that off" is my forte, "interesting" is what I'm most interested in, and "acceptable" is not so much what I live by. I'm definitely a free spirit; I'm interested in what I'm interested in, I wear what I want to wear, I listen to what I want to listen to, and I'm not ashamed or afraid of what "mainstream" people might think. It's just not my nature to be "like everyone else". I believe that God made us all individuals for a reason, so be that person that you are. Otherwise, we'd all be siamese twins. And I would not be ok with someone constantly looking over my shoulder.

Here's a few things, minor and major, that I've found lately. All are pretty big deals to me, which means that it may mean absolutely nothing to you. 

- A freakishly similar version of the found hundred and something dollar ALexander Wang burn out sweater that I have been stalking since it hit the RTW runway. 

- The perfect super low cut, semi sheer, gauze/cotton fabric, which I purchased in three different colors because I was way too excited to find it.  

- New designer, Jason Wu, who's Spring Collection shown at fashion week was just breath taking. I envy every last yard of fabric this man has touched, creating this ...

Jason Wu Spring '09

Jason Wu Spring '09

- The best cover up/concealer I've ever put on my face. And believe me when I say, I'm no make-up connoisseur, but I'm pretty sure I found an underground too-good-to-be-true find. Mary Kate & Ashley Olsen have their own line of make-up (don't worry, it's news to me too), and their cover-up is beyond spectacular. Unfortunately, that's as far as I've gotten with their line, being that it's impossible to find. 

- The best $200 I ever spent, was at the fabric store this past weekend. I found incredible, incredible fabrics that I could only dream to get my hands on. Not only fabric, but trims and buttons you'd swear were on some of of those, maybe-I-can-refinance-my-home-for-this-jacket finds in that vintage store in Nolita you swore you'd never step foot in again, for fear of being forced to file for bankruptcy after one hour in that store. Believe me when I say I'm designing some very special one-of-a-kinds for these special finds.

- A new band, called The Rapture. I recommend 'Whoo! Alright - Yeah ... Uh Huh' (Yes, that's really the name of the song.) and 'House Of Jealous Lovers". I saw them live this past saturday night after just hear about them about two weeks ago and was beyond shocked. Definitely one of the best live performances I've ever seen. We rocked out, danced hard, and left with smiles on our faces. Exactly the way a good night should go.

If there's one thing I can vouch for, it's that life has been severely pleasant lately. I've been surprisingly content with anything that comes my way. Everything that's good is happening, and everything that's bad is steering clear of my happy path. 

Here's to things being the best they've ever been.

Current Listen: You guessed it ... Whoo! Alright - Yeah ... Uh Huh. I've been a serious repeat offender of this one lately. 

Stand Still

Park Day #2

It doesn't get any better than this. You're lookin' at it. 

Please excuse my nonexistence.

I've been extremely preoccupied with a plethora of current events, as well as getting as much fresh air as humanly possible by spending every waking moment outdoors on my bike/in parks/in Brooklyn (usually a combination of the three). 

This weather/past week has been nothing but purely amazing weather. Which, of course, is grounds for spending the least time possible indoors, leaving more than enough time for cruisin' on the beach cruiser at just about every park I know of, at the beach, and in Brooklyn. Speaking of Brooklyn...

The Willyb apartment hunt is on and has been going strong. This hunt is serious. (Think, 'Omg, I lost my wallet and HAVE to find it' serious.) Luckily, I have some Willyb residents helping me out, so I don't turn into a statistic on the "Hipster's That Have Been Beat Down In Brooklyn" list. Because I'm pretty sure that my entire five foot two inch frame and white-hipster-girl statue can not out run a black man with a machete. (Note: This is why I purchased a bike.) 

Life's been really, incredibly peaceful, positive, exciting, relaxing, amazing, beautiful, eventful, fun, and just plain old good. I've been filtering out the bad, and holding the good close. That goes for things, places, and people alike. I've figured out what belongs and what doesn't fit, what's worth it and what's not, what I need and what I need to get rid of, who belongs and who gets counted out, where I'm at and where I belong, where I'm going, and how I'm going to get there. The best part? I haven't even been thinking about any of these things. It's amazing when you stop worrying, stop trying so hard, stop thinking a million miles a minute about what's next what's next what's next, everything just falls into place. And that is where you really, actually belong. I've never felt more like myself in my entire life. And I can honestly say that. Whoever I am right now, and this exact moment, is who really, truly am. I think that's why it's so easy to filter in and out the things that belong in my life and the things that don't. When you let God do the work, it's amazing how much gets done. We're not as efficient workers as we think we are. 

I was reading my bible, the book of Job, and came across this verse that made me stop to reread it four or five times, and then stop and think about what it meant. 

"Stand still and consider the wondrous works of God." - Job 37:14

As simple as it sounds, is as simple as it is. Chill out for a minute and let things go at their own pace. When you force things to happen, they will inevitably fall apart. It's a given. We're human. We want what we want, when we want it, how we want it. But truth me told, that's not what it's about. Things happen, good and bad, and they all have their place and time. As humans, we have no idea what we actually want and need. So sit back, have an open mind, and let the work be done for you. It's not being lazy, it's called trust.

Current Listen: Embers and Envelopes - Mae 

I Love When Things Like This Happen

Jumpin' Pic.

God makes everything work.

I had a great, GREAT day at work. I can remember four times specifically that I laughed SO hard, two of those times I laughed so hard I literally cried. I found out that baby clothes make me laugh hysterically. Holding up a little winter jacket for a baby boy and wondering how hands can be so small, so that they fit into a two inch slit that serves as pockets, or how little legs and a little pair of buns fit into those tiny little Levi's. "That is SO freakishly small. Who's that tiny???" "Freakishly small? YOU were that small once!" Baby clothes blow my mind. They're just so ... tiny. And cute. And tiny. Another time was when I was on a fifteen foot ladder, stapling denim panels to a wall, using this massive industrial stapler that I probably should have used two hands with, but couldn't because my other hand was holding a 12 foot panel in place. I pressed the trigger and it stopped working at the worst possible moment. I handed it down to my boss to fix, only to try again and it fell apart. Repeated the first step, and the staples went flying everywhere. It was just hilarious. I'm sure I'm the only one who finds this absolutely pee-in-your-pants material, but it was a good time.

After work was not so much a good time, which we won't get into. But I got seriously in the slumps. So, I decided to put what I was doing down, and go to wednesday night bible study. Good move. It was JUST what I needed. We did something in church that we don't normally do, have a half hour of church-wide prayer, praying for everything from our individual needs, to praying for our nation. It was really awesome to hear everyones needs/concerns/prayers. I definitely needed that.

Afterwards, I had some run-ins with some really awesome people that I hadn't gotten to sit down and talk to in a while. I go to a really big church with a couple hundred people, so it's hard to keep track of everyone. I saw this lady, Maria, who is absolutely hilarious, and we laughed for a good twenty minutes. It was nice to hear her needs and find out that we were in the same boat. I'm in the same boat as a woman in her late thirties. No surprise there. Then, I bumped into the guy I was previously seeing's parents. They are so awesome, so it was great to see them. But I don't think they were aware of our situation, which made it a little difficult for me to figure out how to approach the situation. Regardless, his mom ended up walking me to my car and we had a great heart to heart. The best part? It wasn't weird, at all. I love when things like this happen.

All week, I've been having "God things" happen to me. People and situations have been happening on their own, all of which are beyond my control. It's really cool to see these things happen, because it reminds you to remain humble and just trust in the Lord. I've been praying about a lot of things, and He's been revealing things to me one small glimpse at a time. Patience has been playing a huge rule in everything I do. I had no patience when it came to waiting on things, now I'm so at peace with everything, that I'm able to put it all in God's hands and watch it all play out. I'm so incredibly blessed to know Jesus and watch Him hand me my life's puzzle pieces, one by one. Whatever He wants for me, is sufficient.

I'm in the best mood, I feel so alive, I feel like I can jump out of my skin. I'm reminded, once again, to let the good and the bad come, because they come with lessons learned. I'm reminded to trust in God, because it's His will that He is handing me. I'm reminded to stay humble, and then will come peace. I'm reminded that my life is not mine, I have no control, and when I try to take that control, everything falls to pieces. It's nice to be able to sit back and not have to worry about a thing, because someone else is at the wheel. I'm so excited to see what's next and what's in store. 

A night and day attitude was just handed to me. I'm going to take this and run with it.

Current Listen: To Be With You - Mr. Big

I Settle By Leaving

Bike rides & the beach make for a

happy hipster.

Never being one to settle, I've been sticking by my habits and up-and-leaving about ninety percent of what I've just "settled" on. 

I change my mind like a single mom changes diapers. My wants and needs change like our current weather pattern. And my thought pattern is about as constant as a tween's ringtone. I love my inconsistency. I love my spontaneity. I love my quirks and my "Ali Moments". Because they make me up to what I am at this very moment. Whoever that may be.

If there's one thing I've learned, now being nine out of twelve months into this years, it's to never forget who you are. People will always try to influence you, try to get you on "their team", try to change you. The truth of it all is that you can't pretend to be something else, just because it pleases another. You can't eliminate certain parts of yourself when you're around certain people, just because their not accepting of your ways. I bet that if you are totally you, all in and no foggy mirrors, you'll come out on top, no matter what.

And what if you don't? Then you didn't sell out. You didn't "fake it" because you were afraid. I can sense a mile away when a person is dressing a certain way around me, skipping certain songs when their iPod is on shuffle when they're in the car with me, talking about certain things, acting a certain way. Dude, if I'm hanging out with you, I obviously like you for who you are. It's the pretenders I walk away from. It's the real kids that get the love. Just be yourself, kids. If you secretly like Star Wars (which, by the way, there is nothing wrong with that), then like it in public. If you secretly listen to 80's love ballads in your car on your way to/from the girl you like's house, then roll down the windows next time and share it with all of us. If you borrow your mom's brush to put on a concert in front of the mirror at home, sing to Steelheart's 'Never Let You Go', make a video and put it on Youtube. So what if nobody accepts you. So what if you get laughed at. And so what if someone, God forbid, thinks you're awesome because of it.

Hey, you never know who's out there.

Current Listen: Atlas Sound - Walkabout