Tuesday, July 16, 2013

Major Changes


This week my blog post for Hello Perfect was chosen to be published. It is the first week of writing, and I was thrilled to see that mine was picked! I wrote about my recent major change in hopes to inspire others to follow their dreams. It's all about making the leap of faith and I am here to encourage it! 
It was such a weird feeling seeing my name on a website reading "by: Chandler Clarkson" but I loved it. I am so happy with my internship with Hello Perfect and I can't wait to see where this takes me.
Read all about my "Major Changes" by clicking the link above! 

Friday, July 12, 2013

Weekend Update - Beyonce style

If you are a Beyonce fan (and let's be honest, who isn't?) buy this. I'm still in mourning that I am unable to go to the concert because I will be in a car for eight hours the exact day Bey is in Nashville. That is just plain depressing, I know.

If he liked it then he should have put a ring on it, but if he did not get the memo, put a ring on it yourself. This is to die for.

To honor Destiny's Child, no car is complete without this cd.

You're a survivor, you're gonna make it (in these camo jeans) Here is a more expensive option, and here is a less expensive option.

Do you want to carry Beyonce around with you at all times? Try this phone case or this one.

Let's be mermaids together, Bey. 

Wednesday, July 10, 2013

Viva Las Vegas!

I've developed a strange love for the city of Las Vegas. It all began the summer before my freshman year of college. My dad, who works in the trade show business, had a customer attending a show in June. He often travels to Vegas and as a senior/graduation gift to me, he said that I could come with him! Just when I thought it couldn't get any better, my dad said my two best friends, Jennifer and Marissa, could come with us too. Then I really think it can't get any better, but it does. My dad buys all three of us tickets to see Celine Dion perform in the Colosseum at Caesar's. It was a dream come true and I couldn't contain my excitement!
It was unreal that I was able to go to Vegas for a week with my two best friends and my dad. My mom and sister had to stay at home (sorry you didn't graduate high school in 2011). We hit almost every attraction and hotel on the strip, taking a million pictures along the way. Here is the blog post.
Then for Christmas 2012 I was surprised with a piece of paper that read "BUY CELINE DION TICKETS ASAP!" I started crying. My dad was again going to Las Vegas, this time in January, and said I could come with him and bring a friend. I took my friend and sorority sister Hunter with me and we were there for about five days again. We hit all the same attractions and hotels, but everything looks different in Vegas in January compared to in June. This time we saw Celine Dion again, but had even closer seats than before and it was unreal! This is my blog post about my second time in Vegas!
I don't love Las Vegas just because of Celine Dion (yes, she is adds to the excitement), but I love the culture and environment. I love the decorations in each hotel on the strip, all the things to do, and people watching. Everything is so extravagant there. Whether I'm riding the bull at Planet Hollywood or dining at the Wynn, I love every aspect of Vegas. Here is my ode to one of my favorite cities, and Viva Las Vegas!

The gondolas easing down the canal,
St. Mark’s square filled with restaurants and famous chefs,
Human statues subtly winking at you,
The painted sky with clouds that move,
The sun always shining down on the Venetian.

Green dolphin sculptures smiling as you walk by,
The Beatles music flooding the inside,
While the erupting volcano booms outside,
Walk out back to see the white tigers and white lions,
Jungle fever is at the Mirage.

Stop by the Trevi fountain to toss a coin and make a wish,
The Colosseum with Celine Dion performing every night,
You should take a break with dessert or coffee from Serendipity3,
Or swim like a Grecian in the high-rise pools,
The Gods and Goddesses are not the only ones allowed in Caesar’s Palace.

Eating at the scrumptious sushi restaurant overlooking the water,
A Pirate ship show on display every night,
Two boats fighting and one does sink,
While dining here, you witness a defeat,
Feel like the captain of a ship at Treasure Island.

To see the mountains and lights take a ride to the top of the Eiffel Tower,
The photo opportunities are nothing short of incredible,
Walk under the Arc de Triomphe,
Or take a bite at Mon Ami Gabi and sip some French wine,
Paris, Paris is like venturing across the world.

The colorfully blown glass to decorate the ceiling,
And Cirque du Soleil performance on water,
Ginormous water fountains reaching the top of the hotel to familiar tunes,
And botanical gardens further inside decorated differently each month,
You can not miss the Bellagio, especially if you are an Ocean’s Eleven fan.

Las Vegas is not only for the sinners,
It is for the people who appreciate culture as well.
Venturing through the different countries with just a few steps,
There is always something new to see.
Sin City is sinless for me and I would not have it any other way.



Monday, July 8, 2013

Summer Playlist

Dead in the Water -- Ellie Goulding
Blurred Lines -- Robin Thicke
Where Can I Go? -- Laura Marling
Ooh Child -- Nina Simone
Next To Me -- Emeli Sande
Gypsy -- Fleetwood Mac
Falling -- Haim
Oh Sherrie -- Steve Perry
Call Your Girlfriend -- Lennon and Maisy // Stella Sisters
Send Me On My Way -- Rusted Root
Flowers In Your Hair -- The Lumineers
Wildflowers -- Tom Petty
Mercy -- Dave Matthews Band
Days Like This -- Van Morrison
Madness -- Muse
Come On Eileen -- Dexy's Midnight Runners
I Love It -- Icona Pop
Running for Cover -- Ivan & Alyosha
Young and Beautiful -- Lana Del Ray
Human of the Year -- Regina Spektor
Let Her Go -- Passenger
Breath of Life -- Florence + the Machine
Brown Eyed Girl -- Van Morrison
We Can't Stop -- Miley Cyrus
In The Morrow -- Brandi Carlile
Meet Virginia -- Train
My Favourite Book -- Stars
Shark In The Water -- V.V. Brown

Saturday, July 6, 2013

Weekend Update

Needing a new romper? Try this.

Listen to this. I'm counting down the days until I see them at Lollapalooza.

Want a new iPhone case? Buy this from Society6

Re-doing your room like I am? Who wouldn't want one of these to snuggle with?

If you're going to the beach, read this because Grace Coddington is fabulous.

Fourth of July still on your mind? Buy this Wildfox beach towel.

And last but not least, to celebrate Celine's 150th show tonight in Las Vegas, buy this! I know I am.


Happy weekend! What's your definition of paradise?

Tuesday, July 2, 2013

Sketches and Watercolors

It's officially one month until I am in Grant Park in Chicago for Lollapalooza!

Grace Coddington who is "The Face Behind Vogue." I recently read her memoir and loved reading about her life. 

"To me you will always be the heart and soul of the magazine, its guardian at the gate, its beacon of excellence. For about as long as I have edited at Vogue, one person, Grace Coddington, has made me excited to come into the office every day.." --Anna Wintour's speech at Grace's 70th birthday party. 

Pre-Fourth of July inspiration with a splash of Beyonce
"I pledge allegiance to Beyonce" 

Experimenting with different sketches with the same character.


Hello Perfect

I'm so excited to share with you all that I am now an intern with Hello Perfect. I am a contributing writer to their website, and will be one of the first campus ambassadors. Hello Perfect is all about making you realize you are already perfect the way you are. I'll be writing for their website on either: fashion, travel, inspiration, college life, and more! Next week, the owners of Hello Perfect and the contributing writers are meeting for a Google+ Hangout and I can't wait to meet everyone and learn more about the internship.

Right now at Hello Perfect, they have a contest going on to win an InStyle Magazine (their website) subscription for a year! All you have to do is download the app "Snap My Ad" from the iTunes Store. Once you download the app (for free!) just upload a photo of what your version of what "Perfect is..." This can be a photo of your writing, or of anything else! For you to win, you just need the most likes on your photo. I would love it if you could share this photo at the bottom of the screen & post a photo! It's so easy and why not win a free year of InStyle?!

I can't wait to see where this internship takes me! It's a "virtual internship" which means I can do the internship from anywhere I want. Hello Perfect will have contributing writers from all over the United States, and the two owners of Hello Perfect just graduated college and are now living in New York! (so jealous!)

Be looking for my posts on HelloPerfect.com! The new website is under construction right now, but you can still visit the old one to see what I'll be doing. Keep following my journey, and post away on "Snap My Ad" for a free subscription to InStyle Magazine!