The Olive Reader - The Weblog of Harper Perennial

The Olive Reader - The Weblog of Harper Perennial

Reflecting on 2010

The more and more I look back on this past year I realize all the changes and things I had done. I finally figured out where I truly belong one day {Dallas, Texas}. Single finally didn't seem like the end of the world but the start of actually living. I made new and amazing friends that I know I will have for a lifetime. I finally found my style of clothing, I branched out and realized that there were more stores than just Express and Abercrombie. I found new lovers and let go of others. I made my words come alive and started a blog, or two or actually five at one point...but now Always Choose Paris has all of my heart and words. I redecorated my bedroom finally. I got rid of the trashy leopard and hot pink look {so tacky!} and transformed it into a parisian get away. My taste in music has become much more broad. I made lasting family memories in Canada. I went to Nantucket and fell in love with the island, hopefully I will be living there for the summer. I turned 21 and realized more than ever who truly cares about me and those who don't. Theres more to life than just Weymouth Massachusetts. Don't waste energy or your breath of those who have hurt you too many times. I finally became the person I know I was meant to be and did the things that made me happy. If I wanted something, I was more than capable of getting it. My independence is everything to me, I do not need a man or any sort of person to be in control of all my happiness. I played model for a little while to help me break out of my shell. Many lessons have been learned, relationships were lost and gained, dreams had come true, and I finally found the one love I have been searching for, the love for myself. I finally am growing up and realized I am so much better than all of those people who have tried to put me down one way or another. And I found the person I hope one day will ask me to spend the rest of my life with him

playing model

New Friends

spend the rest of my life with

impossible, becoming possible

Dallas stole my heart

the ones who will never leave me

the island of dreams

Falling Apart

Maybe the impossible was just that... impossible. Since she was a little girl she had dreamt of the perfect relationship. Once her innocence had come to terms with reality she finally understood, that glass slipper didn't exist, sorry little one. After all of the struggles and let downs she had faith in just one thing, buried deep down with the rest of her feelings that one day she would find the perfect love, the one who made all those other what she likes to call now, assholes, away.

" If  I am going to endure the same struggles I do now than whats the point? Why bother loving again if I feel like I am back tracking."

"Because it isn't always going to be the way you pictured it, you said he was different from all the rest and he is. Sometimes that difference is the reason why you fell in love and sometimes its going to drive you crazy and you just won't understand what is going through his head or why he just did what he did. But when it comes down to it, he proved he is different from the rest. He did what you have always wanted, make you say good bye to all of your past didn't he?"

" Yes but I have never felt like I was good enough for him, since the beginning...because of the beginning. How could we ever come back from this?"

" That's not in your hands anymore."

So the old saying.. 'take the good with the bad'... exactly how much do we practice this preach? Where do we draw the line to keep our own sanity and dignity? Exactly how far do we let ourselves go and not become overwhelmed with the possibility that maybe this perfection we thought we had was just a falicy. How do we keep ourselved together, hold onto the confidence and security we have left if there is a person present who may destroy it all.

Confetti falls to the ground

I was so worried all week about what my plans were for new years and what I would wear. Thankfully I figured out both today last minute. I went shopping with my best friend Amanda and we picked out the perfect outfit together. I could not be more pleased with my choice. At first I wanted sequence and lots of it. But when the department lady at Nordstroms told me they were all sold out I realized I would be matching EVERYONE if I chose something with lots of sparkle... so I went for the 'classic look'. I love polka dot tights and ankle boots so I put those pieces together with an adorable and vintage looking dress that only cost me $20.00 at Nordstrom. I added my long string pearl necklace and there you have it, my favorite outfit for an occasion thus far :) Of course Im going with the Carrie Bradshaw curls again and a gold clutch. Tonight was also the perfect night to wear the platinum nail polish I won in tiffany's giveaway I could not ask a better way to spend my New Years. I get to go see a ballet performance in town with my boyfriend and then we are heading to New Hampshire to celebrate with his friends that I am very excited to finally meet. See you all in 2011 loves!

Bonjour 2011

This year has been... extreme. I have endured unplanned struggles and have learned a lot about myself. Now that I am on my way to the right track I really took a minute to think of what I wanted for 2011. 2010 was all about figuring out who I was by myself, and make an attempt to let the past go. It has been almost a year exactly since I made that decision and now I can finally say I have accomplished every resolution I made for myself. This year I am concentrating more on my health and mind. I am constantly stressed out and never quite content. This year I will learn how to actually cook, not just simple things but learn dishes ( I am extremely nervous but my boyfriend is excited because he gets to eat the food). I will get back on track with a healthy diet which I hope will benefit my skin problems ( yes at age 21 I finally get the acne that everyone else got in middle school, jokes on me I guess?) and my health. I swear I have spent more money on doctor visits and medicines than anything else. Yoga is a must at least 3 times a week, no exceptions. Now that I found myself I get to concentrate on falling in love with my better half and enjoy the amazing friends I have in my life.

This year is about adventure, being able to love others again, maturing into an adult, and good health.

To start this year off I will be buying a few cook books, making some meal plans, learning to trust my relationships as genuine and real, and traveling to New York City to explore a possible new city I will call home and get my book out to publishers. I want to capture moments now, so I will start saving for a new nikon camera Wish me luck!

Im One Lucky Girl

WOW! This Christmas has been by far the best Christmas ever. I got the best present this year any girl could ask for, my boyfriend. I became so much closer with my family and I realized no matter what life throws at me, I know who will be there at my side whether right or wrong. I woke up to amazing presents and a happy family for the first time in a long time. We had a huge breakfast (which we never do) filled with eggs and bacon and blueberry pancakes (all ingredients from Maine so it was that much better). Then we all watched 'Town' together and finished opening our gifts... So what exactly did I get for Christmas?

Well one of my regulars at my work bought me two tickets to the Boston NutCracker and I almost cried.

My parents.. I mean Santa paid for plenty of my outstanding bills, all new macbook accessories, a huge Bruins blanket, socks (of course), a much needed new hair dryer, gift certificates to the essential places, a kindle, and a few things I can take with me when I go to Nantucket for the summer. My sister bought me the one perfume I have wanted forever, Light Blue by Dolce and Gabbana

Brookie got me a huge Eiffel Tower to put in my room and the cutest coffee mug with a Parisian theme and a little collage of her and I. Lots and Lots of money from my nana (good bye credit card debts) The little ones that I nanny for are bringing me to the Taylor Swift Concert! Last but certainly not least my boyfriend got me the comfiest Juicy Couture bathrobe which I will be living in, and a plane ticket to Las Vegas! I could not be more excited to finally go to the city of sin.

I could have not asked for a better christmas, I hope  santa was good to you too :)

Merry Christmas Gorgeous!

It definitely does not feel like christmas eve to me but according to my calendar it is. This years Christmas is so much different than last years in every positive way imaginable. This year I get to spend Christmas Eve with my best friend Brooke's family and enjoy their laughter and yummy food... oh and of course reminisce and talk about future Dallas plans! Then Christmas I am so excited to give everyone their gifts and open up mine. I have never had a boyfriend over for the holidays so I am pretty excited and nervous for Andrew to come over... but considering how my family likes him more than they like me I don't think there will be as many nerves as I anticipated. I still CANNOT figure out for the life of me what Andrew got me. My clue was that its in the 300.00 price range, I need it and its small enough to fit in my pocket but it's not jewelry... hmm. So I hope you all have a fabulous christmas and lots of memories are made. Yes I will still be waking up at 5:00 am to open my presents like a 5 year old. 

kisses and lots of hugs

xoxo

always choose paris


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