Summer Twenty Twelve in Review

 Howdy!

 I've been seeing a lot of "July in Review" posts these days, so I figured I'd hop on the bandwagon. However, instead of just July, I included June as well, so (it's not forgotten and) I can make it a whole Summer-in-Review thing! Holler. So below you'll find all my favorite posts, "big" achievements on the blog and otherwise, and other little tidbits from this summer.
 Side note: I know, I know, it's still summer for most, but my school year starts this week, which cancels any more summer fun. Yeah, my entire summer took place in two little baby months. Group "Awww!", now, please. Thanks.

 Click for all the Nail posts!

 Returned from the mini hiatus, launched the Weekend Plans mini feature and The Nail Series! Also, the blog was completely redesigned!

My wisdom teeth were removed!

 I lovelovelove this post on summer drink recipes! And if you're in the NashVegas area, here are the record stores you should know about.

Some of my most favorite TV shows!

All about my Atlanta trip...

...All about the reason I was in Atlanta in the first place!

  

I launched two of my most beloved features: Stellar Stuff Saturday and Tunes Tuesday!

and I made a post about boy shopping/clothes. Don't ask.

We compared Target shoes to those in deparment stores in my first Battle of the Brands!

I told you about my favorite picture of all time on my birthday, then posted about my birthday (and July Birchbox)!

♡ SUMMER LOVIN' ♡

Entertainment

♡ This summer I watched a ton of old (mostly Hitchcockian) movies and got into that cult classic TV show Twin Peaks.

♡ The band Of Monsters and Men. Beautiful harmonies and junk.

Edible

♡ I became wildly obsessed with (wildly overpriced) Iced Chai Tea lattes.

Why is this included, you ask? Because iced chai tea lattes are now a big part of my life and I can't make an all-about-summer post without something that has such huge presence in my summer-d up life right now, okay?

Personal

♡ I got my driver's permit! One step closer to freedom! As long as that freedom is between the hours of 6 AM and 10 PM, of course.

♡ I got new glasses. Not just any glasses. Larger, trendier glasses. It's been scary (ha!) adjusting to looking different (everyone always says to stand out and be different, and I always thought I did and it was whatever, but then I actually, really did. No one tells you what a doozie it is to actually "be different", or the steps to get there. They're steep; especially if you're like me!), but I'm finally used to them and loooooove them. If I'm gonna be considered nerdy for wearing glasses, I guess I should at least embrace it. haha

That's my summer, guys! It's been lazy and unproductive quite the easy ride!

What are some highlights of yours?

  

xoxo,

       Zoe

Your Summer Show Guide

 Hello!

source

     It's no secret I'm a big fan of television. It's not that I love to just randomly watch whatever's on (actually, I almost never do that); instead, I watch shows that I follow. Basically, DVR and Netflix Instant are my best friends.
  Late June and the whole month of July are big for season premieres of TV shows. Below, I've listed the ones I'll most definitely be tuning into. Following that, I've listed some shows I've already been watching so far this summer, then I've listed what I've been watching/ obsessing over via Netflix Instant. Anyway, I'll start with the ones with the soon-est premieres.

 June 28th

(I'm two days late; sorry!)

 Louie // HBO

This show follows comedian Louis C.K. through his New York "life". I've only seen the very first season of this show, but this season looks just as promising.

July 1st

Weeds // Showtime

Oh, this is difficult to explain; there's so much history! Here's the Wikipedia link. (It sounds sort of lame, but you've got to give it a chance. I feel like I should mention that the actors are perfectly cast, too, in my opinion.) I've been watching this show for the longest time; last summer, I watched every episode from the beginning -- I love it! Rumor has it this is the last season ever... Let's hope not!

Episodes // Showtime

The show's about Matt LeBlanc (as himself) starring in a show developed from a British show. The first season was okay. Nothing spectacular. I'd suggest Weeds over this one, if you have to choose. :)

July 10th

White Collar // USA Network

Ahhh! Since the end of May, I've been watching every single episode of this show, and I'm hooked. It's about this ex-con (classy, high-profile crimes, though: think Frank Abagnale, Jr. from Catch Me If You Can) who becomes a criminal consultant for the FBI. Last season, he (his name is Neal Caffrey, by the by) escaped(with his friend Mozzie; in my opinion, the whole show is worth watching just for Mozzie)!

July 15th

Breaking Bad // AMC

 Another hard one to explain. Let's take this one over to Wikipedia, too.

Leverage // TNT

A group of criminals join forces to help people... Sounds crazy lame. Wikipedia, it is, then.

What I've been watching so far...

Tuesdays

Pretty Little Liars // ABC

Franklin & Bash // TNT

Tosh.0 // Comedy Central

Sundays

True Blood // HBO

Girls // HBO

Veep // HBO

(Girls and Veep just had season finales; I suggest checking them out On Demand if you're interested)

What I've been watching on Netflix Instant...

Sherlock // BBC

This is, without a doubt, the best show I've ever seen in my life. It's a "mini-series", though, so there's only three episodes in a "season". Weirdly, though, each episode is about the length of a movie. Only the first season is available via Instant, though. I just bought the second one, since I've been wait-listed on regular mail Netflix since forever.

Doctor Who // BBC

Apparently, this show has been on and off since the '60's, with each Doctor (main character) "regenerating", a.k.a. "getting a new body". So, the Doctor himself is the same, but he gets a new body (new actor) every season, or every few seasons. I've only started the show with the newest Doctor, the eleventh (real name Matt Smith). I'm not usually into sci-fi shows (this is the only one I currently watch), and the trailer makes it look...well, ridiculous. Admittedly, the first episode with Matt Smith isn't very good, but I suggest you keep watching; it's actually pretty good by the second.

Oh, and Shark Week starts August 12th. :)

 What new shows will you be watching? Or, what new shows have you been watching?

 xoxo,

   Zoe

P.S. I'll be in Atlanta from 7/1 to 7/3, so no posts till after then. COLDPLAY, HERE I COME! :)

My Top 3 Summer Drinks

   Hello!

   Due to my lack of baking ingenuity, I decided to try creating something else: drinks! Among my trials and errors, I've found some recipes perfect for summer sippin' (yeah, I really just said that). Since today's the official start of summer, I decided to post my favorites.

 Sunshine Fusion

 Serves One

 You'll Need: lemonade, (pulp-free) orange juice, Sprite

  Instructions: Combine equal parts lemonade and Sprite on ice. Add a splash of orange juice.

 Notes: This is my favorite recipe yet! It's not as breakfast-y as I imagined, so it's perfect whenever.

Watermelontini

 Serves One

 You'll Need: watermelon soda, Sprite, cranberry juice, lime juice

  Instructions: Add a half-cup of watermelon soda, followed by a splash of cranberry juice. Top off with Sprite and a squeeze of lime juice.

  Notes: I thought this sounded disgusting, but it's now one of my favorites! All the ingredients combine perfectly. The Sprite gives it a special punch.

 Caramel Banana Milkshake

  Serves Four

You'll Need: two bananas, vanilla (or banana) ice cream, caramel syrup, milk, dried banana chips

  Instructions: Slice bananas. Blend it, four scoops ice cream, two cups of milk, and four tbsp of the caramel syrup. Decorate with more syrup and/or two banana chips.

 Notes: For extra caramel action, spread a tbsp of the syrup over the bottom of your glass. You can also top the finished milkshake with another scoop of ice cream. Also, yellow food coloring makes it look more like it tastes.

 Bonus!

 Root Beer Float

  You'll Need: root beer, vanilla ice cream

  Instructions: Put two scoops of ice cream in a glass. Fill glass with root beer.

 Notes: I decided not to make it a main feature because it's so simple (and classic!).

Bonus!

 Pineapple Mashup

You'll Need: pineapple soda, cranberry juice, Sprite

Instructions: Combine an equal amount (try 1/3 cup) of each in a glass.

Notes: I just randomly had some pineapple soda, so that's what I used. Try mixing different fruity juices together! 

   
  
      What's your favorite summer drink recipe?

 xoxo,
    Zoe