Vanilla Mixtapes

And Whaddya Know...It's Superbowl Sunday.

noreply@blogger.com (Narah) — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 05:20:00 +0000

I was running later than usual (sounds familiar?) and sloppily threw together an outfit for church today in under 10 minutes (for those of you who can do this faster, I applaud you.)

Little did I know, Ashley and I sorta-kinda matched!

(In a "we-wore-the-same-trend" kind of way - shoulderpads are totally making a comeback.)

So there you go, Shoulderpad Sunday "in honor of the Super Bowl".

But you can really wear shoulderpads anyday! There're so fun!

(Please excuse my awkward squinting "Why am I staring directly into the sun?" face.)

Certified Shenanigans

noreply@blogger.com (Narah) — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 06:00:00 +0000

Identical Tattoos...

Psych!

Your favorite girls got trained in First Aid and got CPR Certified today!

Yeh-hey!

friendships.

noreply@blogger.com (marfilous) — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 07:31:00 +0000

Friends are such blessings, aren't they?

Let's admit it: we love our friends, but we have our selected few that we will keep around for a very long time. We just have a chemistry with them that is the stuff of myths and legends, like David and Jonathan, Sherlock and Watson, Spongebob and Patrick.

Do you ever catch yourself thinking I wish we had been friends earlier in life? That would be nice, wouldn't it? Think about the person you were then. Would your friend have liked you back then? I don't mean to sound preachy our condescending, but I've found myself thinking that. There are reasons why God orchestrates people to enter and exit our lives. I can't tell you how many times I've had close ones leave and move on. It hurts, let's be honest. I found myself blaming me, like I wasn't good enough to remain friends with them, or that I was too "vanilla." haha..

But this post is dedicated to the ones who took a cue from the Author of my life. These are the ones who are in the supporting cast with me in a film in which God is the star. I know it sounds cliche, but I don't know what I'd do without them. They know when I'm down in the dumps and either a) want to talk about it or b) want to be alone and cry. I can be rude to them, which backfires 'cause they're rude to me too, but that is such a huge plus in my book. Most importantly, they give me godly counsel--something I sometimes don't want to hear, but I know I can never have enough of.

Sometimes our "-ships" are only meant to pass others, but with my mains and God as my anchor, I know I can withstand the stormy weather.

So here's to you, you know who you are. I'm glad our "ships" are floating along together.
Y'all aren't getting rid of me anytime soon. ;P

Share the Love

noreply@blogger.com (Narah) — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 07:07:00 +0000

So I bought a bundle of blank notecards from Target today. I really wanted to order them online but I didn't want to order a ton of notecards just to sit in my room - I need to test drive this new project... habit.

There's something about a handwritten note - something...awesome and genuine and alive.

Ashley is amazing at this stuff. I'm thinking I need a little practice...

So I have 10 blank cards. I've given myself a 2 month period to pass these things out.

2 months to perfect my penmanship and share a little love.

After Dusk

noreply@blogger.com (Narah) — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 01:11:00 +0000

Yesterday, I was running later than usual to class AND there was an accident on the freeway therefore throwing a wrench in my plans for a quick and speedy 15 minute drive to school. The 57 was moving at a glacial pace. Anywho, I was so late that my usual parking structure was FULL (at 8:30 in the morning... seriously?!? We need more parking structures but that's a topic for another day...)

But here's the thing, on Tuesdays, it's dark when I get out of my last class and parking in this other parking structure means I would have to walk all the way across campus just to get back to my car...in the dark. Obviously I was having one of those infamous "Should've Dormed" moments.

Long story short - I got out my last class a little early and, as nervous as I was walking across campus to the parking structure, I realized that what I originally thought was a problem, wasn't.

Walking across campus just after dusk is beautiful and I get to have some time to myself which is a luxury in this day and age, don't you think?

I think I'm purposely going to start parking in this new parking structure...on the top floor...because I can.
Anyway, I'm also thinking that next Tuesday I'm gonna put Instagram to good use.

lipstick. (part 2)

noreply@blogger.com (Narah) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 07:13:00 +0000

In continuation of A's previous post...

I don't usually wear lipstick. In fact, I never wear lipstick let alone red lipstick.

When we went to Sephora last week, I sorta fell in love with the shade Debra (the lady at Sephora) suggested. But for a girl who doesn't wear it on a regular basis, $12 is a lot to pay for a single tube of lipstick.

During an impromptu trip to Target that night, (because, honestly, who doesn't love wandering around Target? Not buying anything is really the only issue I see there), I found myself exploring the cosmetics section wondering what brand to get and what shade is the closest to my new found "love."

I somehow convinced my brother to take a look for me and we decided on Revlon's Wine with Everything Creme.
Ash kept raving about Revlon's lipstick so I took the plunge for a mere $6-ish.

5 days later, I've put the lipstick on twice.
Once, right when I got home to make sure the shade was right, and again today.
I figured the first day of the semester was the perfect day to test drive my newest purchase.

...it didn't last longer than 2 classes. I was too self-conscious.
...I also might have forgotten that my "chapstick" is actually considered a "lipgloss" and should not be applied before lipstick. Well, now we know!

Eh. I'll try again another day.

Any fun lipstick stories you wanna share?

lipstick.

noreply@blogger.com (marfilous) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 06:11:00 +0000

Narah and I went shopping for lipstick last Thursday, but discussed the hardship of buying from Target, etc. because of the lack of samples (can I get an Amen?). She wanted a ravishing red, and I wanted a peachy nude. We went to Sephora to ask for their wisdom.

Right off the bat, the lady got the shade N wanted. Me, however, not so much. Who knew there were so many shades of nude ?! ahh! AND that lipstick needs time to 'set in.'

So anyways, today we went to Target and I purchased a shade called Apricot Fantasy. I was high-key excited as I unwrapped the glorious tube in the middle of a rainy Monday in the CSULB parking lot on the first day of school, mind you.

Verdict: it's a little light, but I shall experiment and mix; maybe I'm just not used to being 'naked.' ;)

#thatawkwardmoment

noreply@blogger.com (Narah) — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 02:47:00 +0000

That awkward moment when someone describes something as "vanilla" and you can't resist giggling.

Our Friendship According to Facebook [And Then Some]

noreply@blogger.com (Narah) — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 07:32:00 +0000

I wish this thing would allow subtitles. If it did, this post's title would read:

Our Friendship According to Facebook

[And Then Some]

WE HAVE OUR FIRST UNOFFICIAL OFFICIAL PP-DATE OF THE YEAR TOMORROW!

So Ashley told you how we became friends. Kinda...

I'm pretty sure she left out the part where we were practically forced to be friends.
It's crazy though 'cause "we were assigned to each other as prayer partners" is exactly how it happened.

Our friendship both in real life and on Facebook surprisingly began around the same time - December 2009.
Weird, right? I mean, it's weird enough that our real life friendship and our Facebook friendship coincide with each other. But it's even weirder that two people who are so alike became friends 15-17 years(ish) after they met. But God had (has) a plan for us. I'm sure of it.

Ironically, our first Wall Post Conversation reads: "FINALLY!"

This one is literally the first picture of me on Facebook.
It's still one of my favorites - The 2009/10 UTURN Mission's Team:

I only remember ever missing only one of the Mission's Trip meetings - it was a Saturday meeting and I had too work. Boo. Later that evening I got a text from Ashley:

"Oh! I forgot to tell you! We're prayer partners. Everyone was picking partners and I realized that there were only 4 girls on the team. I picked you before one of us had to be paired up with a boy."

Minutes later she included, "I'm gonna call you my PP!"

And there it was.

Hundreds and thousands of texts later, (I'm sure we've far surpassed the "Millions" mark by now, and the Billions, and the Trillions...but you get the picture...) here we are in the last Facebook picture posted of the two of us.

This picture was taken in December 2011 (three years later) ironically in the same house where we took the 2009 Missions Trip picture. As explained earlier, Ash and I serve in the same ministries at church in both the leadership and volunteer capacity. We're both in college (She's almost done! Yeh-hey!). And we're both getting OLD - but that's a story for another time.

Who would have thought that two girls paired together for a 2-week missions trip would find themselves where we are now? We have our first unofficial official PP-Date of the year tomorrow. And I'm way excited to spend time with this girl.

Out of Stock Blues

noreply@blogger.com (Narah) — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 05:20:00 +0000

Newsflash: I window shop when I'm bored.
But then again, who doesn't?

Tonight, led me to Mod Cloth.
Maybe that red "Out of Stock" label makes something more appealing...

1, 2, 3, 4, 5

mixtape post #1.

noreply@blogger.com (marfilous) — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 05:43:00 +0000

DO NOT MAKE YOUR OWN MIXTAPE.

I don't know about you, but making mixtapes is a fun process. Some songs make the cut because I truly believe they are good songs, some I am biased for choosing, and some I choose with the listener in mind.

When I make a mixtape for myself, however, it sucks. There is no element of surprise. No one was being thoughtful in the process of producing such a sacred gift. I already know all those songs! I'll admit, when I make my own, I assume it'll be brilliant and that I'll love it. Not so is the case.

I have countless mixtapes in my car that I've made for myself.

I have a 6-disc changer in my car.

I still get bored.

The Saturday Night Scramble

noreply@blogger.com (Narah) — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 06:50:00 +0000

I run into the same issue every Saturday night (sometimes it turns into a Sunday Morning Scramble...procrastination kills.) Regardless of when it happens, I text Ashley the same question every week: What are you wearing to church?!?

I sound so shallow, but please hear me out.

Buying "church appropriate" clothing is harder than it sounds.

Skirts and dresses often ride too short.

Tops and blouses cut too low.

Heels too high.

And then there's the whole "Am I too formal?/Am I too casual?" issue.

Personally, my go-to outfit is a nice pair of jeans with a fun blouse and heels (OR boots OR sandals - depending on the weather). But that's just me.

I really do an unnecessary amount of research before I put a non-standard outfit together in my head.

It's kinda sad, but really fun.

Anyway, I've unofficially volunteered a portion of this blog to do most of the legwork for you.

And presenting...(drum roll please)...the Sunday Morning Solution!

Enjoy!

Photo Creds:

Cape Cod Collegiate

A Cup of Jo

Oh that Carolina Girl

LOOKBOOK.nu

High Points Dress

BMWs.

noreply@blogger.com (marfilous) — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 00:30:00 +0000

Yes, I have tagged posts that have to do with Beauty-Making Woes as BMWs.
1. N and I drive 'em.
2. we all have 'em. don't deny it!

Bang Rant.
Today is my hair-washing day, and I found myself faced with a decision: middle or side part?

Usually my go-to is side, but my bangs are in that awkward, in-between phase. I usually have bangs, and have resisted cutting them countless times!! Plus, having bangs would make my hair seem longer, BUT I am determined to let them grow out and go from there. I currently have my hair parted down the middle; I'm not sure if it's ugly 'cause it's ugly or I'm just not used to it.

I need a hair solution: I'm getting bored.
Oh, and a new, really good leave-in.

Parking Lot Conversations (in no relation to that one band...)

noreply@blogger.com (Narah) — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 08:21:00 +0000

We like yelling in parking lots. It's weird. It's unnecessary. And when we do it, it's absolutely pointless. But we do it anyway because for us, it works.

All yelling aside, some our best, most interesting and/or meaningful conversations have taken place in parking lots.

For example, did you know wasabi between two Oreo cookies could easily pass as a Mint Oreo?

In no way will that pass as a "meaningful" conversation. But it's still interesting! Right?!...Kinda?

Anywho. Friends, I really do appreciate you and all of our parking lot conversations (both the meaningful and the meaningless).

Oh and for the record: the parking lot is the new "water cooler". Just thought I'd let you know.

--

...Originally I started writing this post just to poke my head in and say "Hi! I'm Narah!" but I got distracted by my musings on parking lots...anyway, here goes:

Hi! I'm Narah!

See you around!

FIRST POST!

noreply@blogger.com (marfilous) — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 07:46:00 +0000

This is really happening!
Yes, my good friend, Narah, and I have started a blog.

What of?
Everything and nothing.

Why the name?
"Vanilla" is an insult my niece used when someone was being 'boring.' So Narah and I attack each other with it when necessary. But hey, sometimes being "vanilla" is quite alright. :)
"Mixtapes" because my sister and I are known for the ones we make. We love the good feeling of discovering an artist with talent that deserves to be known and appreciated. Our music tastes have a pretty wide range, but you'll soon come to find which I lean toward. :)
[Narah, should we used smileys on this thing?]

So there you have it: vanilla, a plain/simple term; mixtapes, a broad/experimental term.
Narah and I have known of each other, since we both grew up in the same church, and are currently serving together in the same ministries. It wasn't until 2009, however, that we really had the opportunity to know each other. You see, we were assigned to each other as prayer partners for our missions trip to the Philippines in that December. Since then, it's been a fun rollercoaster ride!! I thank God that He orchestrated things the way He did. She may have not liked me when I was a bratty little kid. haha!

Anyways..

You will soon come to find out what this blog is all about--as will we. hehe.

Enjoy!!

PS: WE LIKE TO YELL!!