Book Review: A Work in Progress

Hey everyone! I've been reading a lot throughout the Summer. One of the books I have read is called A Work in Progress  by Connor Franta. If you aren't aware of who Connor Franta is, he is a 22-year old from Minnesota who moved to Los Angeles. He has millions of followers on Instagram, Twitter, and Tumblr. But the real reason he is known is because he has been making Youube videos for a few years and has four million subscribers. His videos include skits, collabs with other Youtubers, and videos that make you think (I'll link some at the end).

Synopsis from Amazon: In this intimate memoir of life beyond the camera, Connor Franta shares the lessons he has learned on his journey from small-town boy to Internet sensation—so far. Here, Connor offers a look at his Midwestern upbringing as one of four children in the home and one of five in the classroom; his struggles with identity, body image, and sexuality in his teen years; and his decision to finally pursue his creative and artistic passions in his early twenties, setting up his thrilling career as a YouTube personality, philanthropist, entrepreneur, and tastemaker.

Exploring his past with insight and humor, his present with humility, and his future with hope, Connor reveals his private struggles while providing heartfelt words of wisdom for young adults. His words will resonate with anyone coming of age in the digital era, but at the core is a timeless message for people of all ages: don’t be afraid to be yourself and to go after what you truly want.

This full-color collection includes photography and childhood clippings provided by Connor and is a must-have for anyone inspired by his journey.

I have been a fan of Connor Franta since he was on the Collab Youtube Channel Our 2nd Life. I find his videos funny and he acts like a genuine person. In his book he shares stories of his life in Minnesota before YouTube. His stories include growing up in a small area, his siblings, dealing with anxiety, coming out as gay, and the adventures he has gone on.  Reading a memoir is different from reading a blog or watching Youtube because you get more an insight of someone's story in more than 5 minutes.

I appreciate nice aesthetic photos because it takes a certain type of skill to get a photo taken at the right moment.

The last pages of the book is the monologue from my his video Life Doesn't Wait (which is my favorite video by him).

Overall: I really liked the book. The perspective of the book was easy to relate too. I like memoirs because you really get to see how people think. Connor's story was one I really enjoyed reading and I'll probably read it a few more times.

A favorite paragraph of mine that is about Social Media from the book: "It's okay to want to be liked. It's okay to seek likes. But it's not okay if you allow those likes to become the foundation of your sense of self-worth, because other people might not be putting a whole lot of thought into the process of liking --or not liking-- your photos or posts. Remember that likes are just numbers-- they don't add anything to your personal value. I know it's easy to get wrapped up in it all, but take it from someone who has experienced all levels of appreciation: None of it matters" (Franta 121).

Thank you for reading. 
Have you read A Work in Progress? What other books have you read this Summer?

                                                            xx
                                              Christina Madeleine  

My Top 10 Summer Songs

Hey everyone! Sorry that I have been a bit inconsistent with my posts. I really need to get myself on here more. I am always commenting on people's blog and social media yet I always forget to write blog posts. My goal is to post at least four times a month.

It's the last day of July! That means the Summer is more than half way over (how sad!). The good news is that Summer is still in full swing. I love to blast music through my speakers during the Summer to get in the mood for the day, sit by the pool/beach, and while scrolling on social media.

Here are my Top 10 Favorite Songs of Summer 2015

  
 White Teeth Teens by Lorde - I love this song because it has such a nice beat to it. Lorde released this song in 2013 but I only started listening to it this Summer. It's kind of a calm and nice song to listen too.

5ft7 by Tonstartssbandht - This song was from the Palo Alto soundtrack. If you don't know this soundtrack is from my favorite movie. This song also has an interesting sound which some people don't particularly like but I personally like it. At first, I didn't understand the words but I've replayed the song so many times that I've grown to understand it.

Kids by MGMT - This song has a catchy beat to it. I listen to this song while getting ready in the morning. This song has a more teenager-y(?) feeling to it.  MGMT has many good songs besides this one I also recommend the songs Time to Pretend, and Electric Feel.

  
Runaway by AURORA - My friend and I made a whole outline for a film we want to make when we are older. In film class we had to make a soundtrack for the movie. So we asked my friend's brother for some help with the songs. I have been obsessed with this song ever since it was suggested. The song has a soothing sound and it's perfect for those "looking out a car or plane" moments.

 
 Tear in My Heart by Twenty One Pilots - I first heard of the band of Twenty One Pilots when the song Car Radio came on when I was listening to Spotify. I personally like the song Tear in My Heart better because it starts with a complete different tone then it starts with. The beginning is some yelling and guitar and then it changes to some 'talking'. This song is really hard to describe but I recommend this band.

 She's a Riot by The Jungle Giants - I listen to an app called 8tracks which lets you make playlists and listen to playlists based on your preference and mood you are feeling. I was searching through playlists to find a good Summer song and I wasn't disappointed. I really like the cover because despite the fact you can't see the girl's eyes, it still feels like they are looking right at you. I feel like the cover is unique.

Dreaming by Smallpools - I first heard this song on Soundcloud mixed with the song Bonnie and Clyde by Jay Z and Beyonce. I, then started listening to the artist Smallpools and I became obsessed with the original version of the song which reminds me of my trip to California so it always makes me nostalgic. 

 
 Crown on the Ground by Sleigh Bells - If you have seen posts from earlier this year, you would have seen that I am kind of obsessed with the Bling Ring, which where this song comes from. This song is a great song to listen to when you are getting ready for a party because it's so upbeat and such a fun song to dance to with your friends too.

 
 Robbers by the 1975 - The 1975 is my favorite band. I love their style in music and the way the act. They are mysterious and more intimate with their fan base which I like better than bands who have thousands of fans at their concerts. I'm actually seeing the 1975 in December, but that will be another blog post. Robbers is my favorite song to listen to in the on train or if I am going for a walk.

 

 Welcome to the Black Parade by My Chemical Romance - Yes, I know MCR has been unfortunately over for the past few years. This Summer I have been really into the "emo trinity" consisting of Fall Out Boy, Panic! At the Disco, and My Chemical Romance. I feel like their music is fun to dance, and run too.  The song mentioned is five minutes long and goes from slow piano too upbeat drums. This might be the song I have listened to all Summer.

 

Thanks for reading this post. I really wanted to get up here before August 1 (I have to have one more post that says July!). 

Leave a comment telling me what your favorite songs of the Summer are.

                                                                xx 
                                                  Christina Madeleine 

 

San Francisco 2015

Hey everyone! How's your Summer going? Mine has been super busy between work, volunteering, and (of course!) blogging. In June I went to San Francisco for a few days and I took tons of pictures. Lately I have been feeling a bit nostalgic over my trip and I also wanted to share my pictures with everyone. I seem to blog a lot about adventures so here is another one...

Lombard Street

This road is the World's Most Curviest, Crookedest, Windiest Road also known as Lombard Street. Many people live in the beautiful houses on this street but they all have to be skilled at parking their cars because the road is on downhill slant along with being in a squiggle shape.

Sugarfina

I went to this candy store called Sugarfina. I was super excited to see this store because:

 1) We don't have this store on the East Coast 

2) I saw this store in Trisha Paytas and Shane Dawson's Vlogs (two famous youtubers).

Sugarfina is expensive for a candy store but I really liked their choice of gummies and chocolates. I am totally obsessed with gummy candies.

We bought Heart Shaped Gummies and Bacon flavored Chocolate Pretzels.

More of San Francisco

My parents and I went out to this burger place called Super Duper Burger. The place kind of reminded me of Shake Shack (a series of burger places in New York). Their menu consisted of a variety of burgers, veggie burgers, fries, and salads. For some reason I felt healthier eating a veggie burger in California rather than in New York.

There were these heart statues covered in polaroid pictures around Union Square for the foundation Hearts for San Francisco. Each heart was a bit different but I found them so pretty.

We took the a train to another part of San Francisco and that's where I saw these colorful houses similar to the houses featured in the 90's show Full House. These houses were in the Mission District of San Francisco.

Pier 39

Pier 39 is filled with tourist stores, restaurants, an aquarium, and a dock filled with sea lions. I went to the aquarium with my mom because I really like marine animals and it looked really cool.

This is one of the sea creatures that I saw in the aquarium. They had tons of sea stars, fish, crabs, and turtles. One of the workers who was in college showed me a sea star that was eating a live fish and it was one of the weirdest things I have ever seen.

San Francisco was colder than I expected it to be. It was 50 degrees there which is different for me because it was 80 degrees in Los Angeles (the other place I went after San Francisco) and New York. In the picture I have my blue/green hair that I miss so much.

Pier 39 has a bunch of floating docks side by side designated only for sea lions to lay on. These sea lions lay out and I heard that sometimes there can be up to 100 sea lions at the pier.

Muir Woods National Monument

This national park is filled with Redwood Trees that are huge and some of the biggest trees in the world. My family and I took a private bus along with 4 other people around San Francisco and visited this monument. It was so beautiful and if we had more time I would have loved to hike the trails.

We went up into the hills outside of San Francisco. The scenery was so beautiful and I took so many pictures on my camera.

We crossed the Golden Gate Bridge and it was cooler seeing it in person rather than just seeing it in a photograph.  Our bus unfortunately didn't stop so this was one of the better shots I got.

This picture is taken in seaside town called Sausalito. It was a very quiet town and while I was there I got a San Francisco sweatshirt.

 SO I HAVE SOME EXCITING NEWS! MY BLOG OFFICIALLY HAS A NEW DOMAIN. 
IT IS www.thisfashiongirl.com.  SO I HOPE YOU LIKE IT!

Thanks for reading! In the comments write where are some places that you would want visit in the future.

                                                                  xx
                                                   Christina Madeleine

Summer Adventures: Soho

Hey everyone! I feel like I do so many of these posts but here is another one of my adventures. My friend Genevieve ( http://www.genevievekellynyc.com/ ) and I went around Soho for the day. We went out to eat and then wandered around for awhile. It was a such a fun day and I thought I would share it with the world wide web.

So a few weeks ago I dyed my hair blue. But my hair became so unhealthy and I couldn't brush through it so I cut my hair six inches. Also because of Summer I wanted my hair short and easy to take care of.

Gen and I went to this cafe in Greenwich Village called Chalait. It had a limited menu but everything they had was really good. They have lattes and coffees that have matcha ( I believe it's Japanese green tea) and makes the drink green. The latte was an interesting color but it tasted way better than I expected it too.

Okay, this ice cream looks super weird but trust me it tastes so good. There is a truck called Play J's Ice Cream and it goes around Soho and East Village with these amazing ice cream cones.

Soho is filled with very cool street in the most random of places. This is one of my favorite things about Soho. There are so many stores but in between you'll see little messages done by people.

Genevieve takes some really cool pictures on her blog. She took some pictures of me and I think they came out pretty cool.

I hope you like this post. Don't forget to leave a comment.

QOTD: How is your Summer going? What do you plan to do or have already done?

                                                              xx
                                                  Christina Madeleine

OOTD- 6.23.15

Hey everyone! So from June 17 to the 24 I was in California. The weather was beautiful and I spent my time in San Francisco and Los Angeles. I most definitely have a bunch of posts coming about my trip. On June 23, I was in Malibu to celebrate a late Father's Day with my family and family friend. We went for Asian Fusion food at Nobu, Malibu. This post has some pictures of Nobu and my outfit.

I am a huge fan of Japanese food so going to Nobu was really nice. My drink was watermelon juice because I thought it was a pretty color and it was so delicious.

The restaurant was on the beach in Malibu. We didn't sit at this table but it looked so nice and I really wanted too. The whole time you could hear the waves while you eat.

My outfit:

Flower Black Croptop (underneath crocheted top) - American Apparel

Crocheted Shirt - Hollister 

Patterned Pants - Brandy Melville 

5inch wedged sandals - Forever 21

White Bracelet - Kate Spade 

Gold Feather Bracelet - Alex&Ani

I love taking pictures on the beach. Being in California makes me want to learn how to surf and paddle board. The ocean was so pretty.

I posted this picture to instagram (you can follow me here // I'm on private but I accept everyone).

I hope you liked this post.
Should I do more OOTDs?
Comment what your plans for the Summer are?
 
                                                               xx
                                                  Christina Madeleine

My Month in Photos *May Edition*

Hey everyone! So it's finals week for me  *cries* and I have four more finals this week. But, since I only updated twice this month I wanted to end off the month with some of my adventures. I finish school on June 9 and so after that I can post as much as I can. This month has had quite a few events and I took a lot of pictures. So here is my month in pictures...

May 4, 2015

 

After our badminton match, two of my friends and I got ice cream.

  Flowers on Park Avenue, Manhattan.

May 8, 2015

My Birthday

Birthday Selfie at a Japanese Restaurant in the Lower East Side.

Sashimi Tuna and Sushi was my birthday dinner.

May 9, 2015

 

I celebrated my birthday with some of my friends at a restaurant called Serafina in Meatpacking District, Manhattan.

There was a Chanel Perfume Exhibit in Chelsea, Manhattan that was open for 10 days. My friends and I went to it.

It was a big room with a hallway to walk into that had an interactive screen about the history of Coco Chanel and her fragrances. There was a huge white wall so my friends and I took pictures in front of it for an aesthetic. The exhibit also had a postcard making station and you could stamp the Chanel symbol and decorate the cards and then they would get sent to anywhere in the world you wanted it too. I sent a postcard to my cousin in Switzerland.

Next, my friends and I got ice cream in Chelsea Market. There was a pop up store there that let you draw all over the walls in marker. Here is a picture of a cute drawing I saw:

If you ever walking on the Highline, if you pay attention you can find this street art on the building. I almost walked past it. 

"No one turns around enough to see how beautiful it is" -Alexa

May 13, 2015

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

If you have read the news recently then I am sure you have heard of the MET gala. The gala is once a year and a lot of celebrities such as Emma Roberts, Beyonce, Rihanna, Justin Bieber, and so many others come to the Metropolitan Museum of Art for the newest fashion exhibit. This year it was for the fashion exhibit called China: Through the Looking Glass. The ancient China exhibit right now is filled with Chinese inspired dresses made by Dior and Chanel all the way to designers in China.

This is one of my favorite dresses because it's so beautiful. This is located in a room with Buddha statues around it.

This screen showed scenes from Chinese history such as soldiers, celebrations, and local life.

This dress along with five other dresses were made of porcelain.

This is one of the entries to the exhibit and it is filled with lights and inside are mannequins dressed in all black robes.

May 16, 2015

Here is my outfit for my friend's birthday party.

These glasses were filled with pink punch and I thought it was super cute that there was strawberries on top.

May 22, 2015

Museum of Natural History

The picture reminded me of a castle I saw when I was in England.

The Museum of Natural History have exhibits filled with taxidermy and recreated animals. I love looking at animals so I thought these were cool.

I thought these houses in the Upper West side were super pretty.

overpriced ice cream :( but it was still so good.

This art piece is made by a street artist named Banksy and he goes all over the world painting on buildings and poles. Somebody put glass over the work so nobody can destroy it.

May 24, 2015

For Memorial Day Weekend I went out to Long Island to visit my grandmother.

It was still too cold to go in the pool but the view was beautiful. My cousin and I walked along the beach and the empty roads in this part of Long Island.

My dog, Bosco, loves it out in Long Island.

May 26, 2015

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

It was my class' last Art History class, so my teacher took us to the roof of the Met.

The beautiful view of Central Park and Manhattan.

May 28, 2015

I don't why I chose this face but that was my last day of classes.

I really hoped you guys liked this post. 
Tell me what your favorite pictures were and what happened this month for you.
I will talk to you all after finals.

                                                              xx
                                                  Christina Madeleine