Panda Eyes

Letterman Jacket - vintage // Sweater - Japan // Leggings - J. Crew // Boots - Doc. Martens // Mittens - Kate Spade

I went to China in February. Above are more touristy photos which we took while souvenir shopping and attempting to speak to locals in my broken Chinese that I learned between the 1st and 5th grade, which consists of mostly "ni hao," "xie xie," and some songs about making friends and counting.  But the people were wonderful to me and encouraged, though I had a terrible accent, me to improve my Chinese.

In Cheng Du I did the most unreal thing. I'll give you one hint:

Panda

Oh yes. That's right. I took care of panda's for a week with two of my best friends, Laken and Chelsea. We made friends with two wonderful pandas, Jenko and Mason, as well as our panda master.  It was heaven.  We would clean their cages, then feed them panda cake, carrots, and apples.  Mason would even play game where he'd stand on two feet, open his mouth, and catch the food after we threw it.  They were such sweet, kind creatures.  During the trip, we became more and more aware of how panda's came to be endangered.  It's actually a wonder panda's have been able to survive this long considering their mating period is just a few days long, they are solitary animals, and the rapid fragmentation of their habitat due to urbanization in China.
But they are cute aren't they?

xie xie,

Annika 

Liberty and Cameras

High Low Hem Shirt - Top Shop // Shorts - J. Crew 

I'm back and a rising senior in high school.  A year from now, I will be a rising freshman in college. And I'm terrified.  We've been college touring around the East Coast and the fact that I'm going to be a freshman in college is becoming all too real.  It probably seems silly to all of you, but if I had the option between being Wendy or a lost boy in Peter Pan, I would be a lost boy. To be honest, my biggest fear in life is becoming an adult and college is that one step closer to my biggest fear.  I think it's the instability that scares me. That lack of control.  But there are few things in life that you can't avoid, one of which is the future.  What I've realized is that, as much as I try to fight the future from happening, it will always happen.  With that realization, I am going to stay positive throughout my future.
Whatever happens.

These few photos and miniature outfit post are photos from my summer so far.  I've been to Illinois to visit Northwestern, DePaul, and Loyola, as well as New York to visit Barnard, NYU, Vassar, Fordham, and Sarah Lawrence.  All of which are wonderful schools and I'd be lucky to be accepted into any of them. Throughout the summer I'll be visiting Maine, Vermont, and Massachusetts to check out the college sene around the East Coast.  While we were in New York we embraced our inner tourist, visited the Statue of Liberty and watched a couple musicals, Evita and Anything Goes.  I've been able to experiment and play around with my Holga cameras with my older sister, which has been super fun.  All in all, my summer is off to a great start.
How has your summer been?

love always,
Annika

Prom Night 2012

I promise these are my pajamas and not my regular clothes. Please don't shun me blogosphere!

American schools have this crazy tradition each year for the upperclassmen, Seniors and Juniors, called Prom. A night of magic, lights and dancing.  A night where girls dress up like Cinderella, but are allowed to stay past midnight.  

But before you go to Prom, you must be asked.

So, my friend, Lisa, and I were sitting in my room watching Angus, Thongs, and Full Frontal Snogging. A movie that is so bad it's good. Also, it's British.  When suddenly my father opens the door to my room and says "Annika...get up...there's something at the door...for you..."  You see, it was one in the morning, and I was quite hungry, so I immediately assumed that my parents had ordered pizza for us.  But, instead of a pizza guy holding a pepperoni pizza with chili flakes, there is a single candle sitting at my front door. I look to my right and there is another candle. And another. And, sure enough, there was a trail of candles leading down my driveway, through my front gate, and down a hill to a field, where my best friend, Alistair, was standing.  Behind him was the word, "PROM?" written in big candle letters.

I was rather disappointed to see he didn't have pizza, but obviously I said, "Yes."

Holly and David.    Me and Alistair.    Lorraine and Chris.

Holly, Me, and Lorraine.

David, Alistair, and Chris.

Angela.

Chelsea and Me.

Dress - Sherri Hill // Bracelets - J. Crew // Ring - Mother

Prom Night was everything I expected it to be and more.  I got ready with one of my closest friends, Lorraine.  Then was picked up by both her date, Chris, and mine, Alistair, to meet some other friends for dinner at La Fondue.
After delicious cheese and chocolate fondue, we drove to the St. Regis and danced the night away.

One word to describe this fairytale night?
Priceless.

love,
Annika

the drinks

hehe i'm so sneaky drinking my water and orange juice

so yes. just to clarify again. that is orange juice and water. i am only 14. do not fear. haha.

my sister took these photos (kudos to her epic photo skills) in hawaii over winter break. the weather there was perfect. it was windy and hot but not humid like it is here. and the house we were at was right next to the beach. perfectly perfect in every way. i miss it.

oh my oh my. my birthday is in 11 days! i am so excited! 15 is a pretty big number...half way to 30. oh gosh.

bye bye,

annika

diamond hoops - unknown

shirt - molly b.

bracelet - pandora

shorts - lilly pulitzer

shoes - jack rogers (not pictured)