This music is giving me the feels... Aloe Blacc

So, I'm not a man, but for that song of his "I'm the Man", I'll make an exception.
You may know Aloe Blacc from his hit "Wake Me Up" which was electronified (that's not a word but it should be) by David Guetta. The original, however, is even better. In fact, his entire album has this country-ish, soulful sound that really does "Lift Your Spirit". Lyrically beautiful, Aloe Blacc has a wonderfully unique voice and style. Here are some of my favorites:

1. Wake Me Up (listen to the original, you've already heard the radio version)
2. I'm the Man (You might not be, doesn't mean you  won't want to tell everybody.)
3. Here Today

Do you agree with me? Is he awesome or what? Feel free to comment!
Love,
         Vicky

So college apparently means I have stuff to do.

Sorry, but I'm obsessed with the Walking Dead. I saw an opportunity and I took it...
     Anyway, so apparently I have a shit ton of homework now. It's great. And not even half of what my work load will be in a few weeks. Hooray.
     As usual I have a story and a moral to go along with it. This time I'll tell you the moral first. Can you guess what it is? ("Is it be confident?", "Is it love yourself and others?", "Is it be honest?", "Is it big things come in small packages?")
No, it's none of those things. It's... drum roll... check your email.
     Let me explain. So, I have this freshman experience class that's supposed to be an utter breeze. And it is. The thing is we had a paper and a quiz on this book  that we had to read over the summer, which I read. I even picked out my what I was going to write about and everything in preparation for this week when I would write.
The thing is, it was due last week.
     I didn't know this because I didn't check my email which told me the change in plans. Thus. not checking my email last week led to me freaking out at midnight wondering why I was such an irresponsible human being.
Here's the thing: I could lose hope and keep freaking out... OR I could accept that I was a dumb-butt and just work extra hard to make up the grade. Personally, the second option sounds better.
Wish me luck!
Much Love,
                    Vicky

This music is giving me the feels... Alex Clare

His awesome voice. That red hair. His music is definitely along the same lines of Bastille, with it's modern lyricism and focus on incorporating synthetic sound (exhibited in his popular song Too Close https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bcpYKBTALKY), which adds some tasteful depth. However, Alex Clare's vocals veer sharply away from Bastille's singing style, which is great, but goddamn can Alex Clare sing. His vocal control is ridiculous (Listen to Hummingbird  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GzXnchqCGOE), and he's so soulful. Seriously, listen to this friggin song and tell me you don't feel like laying down the law with that annoyingly uninterested love interest of yours (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XwWjPO0PhyI). He covered it from Etta James, so y'already know...
Give him a listen. Let me know what you think, if you feel like it. Do you like him? Hate him? Is he actually nothing like Bastille? Go forth and discover!
Much Love,
                   Vicky

Things I wish I knew in High School: Makeup Edition

I did figure some of this out while actually in High School, but I sure didn't as a freshman.

1. Blush exists
     A faux rosy flush keeps you looking awake and healthy. The trick is to figure out the placement so that it complements your face.

2. Cat-eyes are the best
     No, seriously. They elongate and lift the eyes (both very good things) as well as being inherently sexy. It's a look unto itself, no eye shadow needed, just liquid eyeliner.

3. Translucent powder also exists
     Wondering why your concealer or foundation isn't lasting? You probably skipped translucent powder. If you don't overdo it, it's a game changer.

4. All you need is love. And by love I mean mascara.
     Skip the shadow and the liner and just put on mascara. It's amazing how much one product can do.

5. Invest in an everyday lip product.
     No, not fire engine red or bubblegum pink. Stick to a rosy nude, something gives you that 'better than natural' look.I recommend Revlon's Velvet Rose if you've got an olive toned complexion like me.

High School is when a lot of girls start wearing makeup everyday, the trick is to figure out a daily look then practice and refine it until you use a minimum of products and you can do it in under ten minutes. Knowing somethings (like the list just above this) can really help as you start figuring out what you like. Enjoy these four years, because, cliche as it sounds, they really do fly by!
Much Love,
                  Vicky

Eek! College: The First Week.

      So you know that part of psycho when Jack Nicholson axes a whole in the door, sticks his face in it and says "Heeeere's Johnny!"?
       That's what starting college felt like. Like some person just axed down my door and said: "Heeeeere's college, responsiblity, new people, job searches and money problems!"
  
     So that's why I haven't gotten around to blogging til just now: college. I started this Monday and can I just say that I am soo much more relaxed now at the end of the week than I was the night before school. The night before school found me freaking out, lying in bed staring at the ceiling desperately trying to combat my sudden insomnia. Then, after a few hours of sleep, my alarm rang, I rolled out of bed and faced the day.
    A few tips to help if you're going to college: 
1. Really try to go to sleep. I personally only function well on 10 hours of sleep (excessive, I know, but true). You want to be on your top game on any important day, so try to sleep. You might not be able to, but at least you gave it a good shot.
2. Get there early. Actually, go there a week early and find your classes ahead of time. Then, get to school early before your class so you can situate yourself or use the bathroom or whatever.
3. Don't sit in the very back. It makes it seem that you don't care, so make a good impression and try to sit from the middle and on upward.
4. Use that long lunch break. I have four whole hours (!!!) so I used it to explore the campus, find my other classes, and memorize the best study spots in the library. 
5. Don't freak out if you're by yourself. In class, this is when you can make new friends. Out of class, it's not like high school where wandering around or sitting by yourself was weird. In all honesty, no one cares if you have lunch by yourself, these are adults with their own lives who sometimes have lunch by themselves, too.
6. Keep the makeup to a minimum. Look put together, but forgo the smokey eye in favor of something more natural and heat proof. You'll be doing a ton of walking, you don't want your face sliding off. However, make sure you feel comfortable  with how you look. Now is not the time to be stressing because you skipped a step you use on the regular.
7. Bring a sweater. I live in Florida, the sunshine state... which is bullshit. Yea, there's sunshine but what we have even more of is humidity. Still, I was wearing a cardigan all of last week because while the outside is a hot subtropical hell, the classrooms are arctic. Thus, be prepared! Bring a sweater!

So, yeah, just a few tips to make the transition from summer to college (or any school) a little smoother. Hopefully, my college experience will just keep getting better. Keep your fingers crossed!
Much Love, 
                   Vicky