Life Update: Camp and Growing Up

Hello again internet. Nice to finally see you after two whole months. Why have I avoided you for so long, might you ask? Well, if you had read my last post way back in June, you would know that I spent my summer at sleep away camp. This year had been my seventh year at camp, but unfortunately my last year as a camper (I can always go back to be a counselor) *tear*. 

Camp to me is a place where I get to learn about myself and experience parts of who I am that I may not get to see anywhere else.

This past week was my… 16th Birthday, and when school starts I will be going into my junior year of high school. What this means is that I have to start doing the dreaded. Taking the SATs, touring colleges, and worst of all…figuring out what I want to do with my life. For years, I thought I had my whole life figured out, but now that I really need to know, I have no idea. I know that I am interested in art, but I am not sure if I want to go to an art school or not. I also know that I like music but am not sure if I really want to study about that. I know that a lot of 16 year olds all go through this type of thing, but I just wish I could have it all figured out. 

Camp this summer, was the best possible experience I could have 

had leading into the year. I have learnt so much about myself through the friends I made and the connections I continued. We focused a lot on leadership skills, and figuring out our roles in groups. I don't exactly know what I want to do in college but I am a bit closer than I was before. 

Music is also something huge that I get to do a lot of at camp, and not so much at home. I have decided to post this video of me performing so that I can share another part of me on the blog. The video isn't best quality but I would just really appreciate it if even one person just took the time to listen to me.

Also (just because I always do) here are some pictures I took during the summer.

and, or course, a few polaroids with my friends

              

                        

So, I am back and actually 16

xoxoxo

Nina

Song stuck in my head right now: I know - Meaghan Smith

Life Update: Summer Break Plans

This summer so far has been, and is going to be, the busiest summer yet. After finishing my sophomore year of high school with a stressful week of finals, I didn't get any breaks. I moved straight into the next week (this past week) with more classes. Drivers-ed. Anyone that has taken drivers-ed before would understand when I say that it is the most annoying and boring thing ever. The class consists of long lectures, bad quality movies from the 80's, and a really awkward social environment. Luckily the classes only take up about half the day, so there is still sometime to enjoy the break. But this past week the weather has been unbearably hot and I spent most of my free time packing for camp.

That takes me to the main point of this post. On sunday, in 2 days, I will be going of to camp for 2 months. I have been going to the same camp for seven years now and I love every minute of it. I love my friends, the activities, the energy and just overall the whole experience. 

What this means though, is that since I will be away for so long, I won't be able to blog. Two months will go by until I can add anything to this website. But, what I will be doing is coming up with a ton of ideas and planning what the fall is going to look like for Sixteen Once. I will ask around for some feedback, and I will definitely take a ton of pictures at camp. The possibilities are endless!

By the time I get back it will already be the end of the summer which means that if I do any summer look book type of posts they won't be very relevant anymore. I might do one when I get back but I will try and figure something out that will be more interesting and current to read.

Now that you have read this far you are probably sick of me just going on and on about my life, so here are some photographs I took last summer. They will give you a look at what I do and where I go, and also probably will look very similar to what photos will look like this coming summer. Before you see them thought, keep in mind that they are really old and my photography style has changed and I look kinda different so don't judge :P

HAGS

(one day I might post a video of me singing if you want, so comment and tell me if that interests you)

Don't miss me too much

xoxoxo

Nina

Song stuck in my head right now: Love You Better Now - Ed Sheeren

DIY: Custom Laptop Skin

I recently had to throw out my laptop case because it was beginning to crack and got really dirty. I also threw it out because I started to get tired of the plain blue case I had before, so I decided to try something more creative. 
A couple weeks ago, I stumbled upon a video on youtube that somebody made explaining how she made her laptop skin. It seemed like a really cool idea so I decided to go for it. The website I used is called DecalGirl Which does custom skins for all types of devices. On the website you can upload any photo you like and the prices are pretty affordable, especially since they give you a 15% off coupon if you sign up with your email. 
I made a collage on photoshop, instead of just choosing one picture that would always be on my computer. For those who are familiar with photoshop, the dimensions advised by the website are 4992 (width) x 3328 pixels. If you don't have photoshop than some helpful alternatives to making a collage are GIMP, PicMonkey, or Paint (PC program). I can't explain these since I am not familiar with them, but the steps are really basic so each of these programs will have the capabilities.
After I made the collage all you have to do is follow the websites instructions, with is basically just picking the right device and uploading the picture. 
One other really great thing about the website is that when you order the skin you can pay through amazon or PayPal (if you choose) and then the shipping is really quick. 

Here is a 'step by step' in picture form (the collage part is for people using photoshop b/c that is what I used):

1. Open a new document in photoshop with the correct dimensions: 
4992 (width) x 3328 pixels

2. Add photos and just have fun designing whatever you want.
my final collage turned out looking like this

3. Save as jpg.
(don't forget to flatten the image)

4. Go to website and click on 'Create Your Own' at the top of the page: 

5. When you click on it, you will have to choose your device:

6. After that, I think the rest is pretty clear. then, days later you can enjoy the final product:

xoxoxo

Nina

Song stuck in my head right now: We Are Young - Fun.

Whats in my Bag: Boston Calling Music Festival

This past weekend was the Boston Calling music festival, and I was lucky enough to go with two of my friends. The whole event was a new experienced, and I loved the whole thing.

For those of you who don't know, Boston Calling is a three day music festival filled with ranges of artists and bands. I only went to one of the three days, which officially started at 1:20 and then ended at 10:30.
Since I spent the whole day at the festival, I needed to pack efficiently with everything I needed  for the day, but it also all had to fit inside a small bag. So, in this blog post I am going to show you what I took with me to Boston Calling, and hopefully this will help if you ever find yourself stuck trying to figure out what to pack to a music festival (or any occasion similar). 

#1
My Bag
I got this bag a couple of months ago from Urban Outfitters, and I have never stopped loving it. The color, although yellow, is toned down enough that it goes perfectly with every outfit no matter what I'm wearing. It was the perfect size for Boston Calling, because it both was small enough to be allowed into the event and it fits everything I need.

#2 
Wallet 
I feel like this is a pretty straight forward essential. You should always have your wallet on you, but especially in a situation where you can't bring food and would have to buy it during the day (food trucks were available).

#3
EpiPen
This is more just for me. I have allergies so I needed to take an EpiPen with me just incase anything were to happen. 

#4
Tissues
 Its allergy season and I have it bad. I was really worried that I would be sniffling throughout the whole day so I brought along two travel tissue packs just incase. Turns out I didn't really need them but it was smart to bring them along anyways.

#5
House Keys
Because, well you know, to get into my house. (I attached my Boston Calling wristband to it after the concert)

#6
iPhone/iPod
I brought along my brothers iPhone so that I would have a map just incase I needed to get somewhere, but then I also brought along my iPod so that I could take photos.

#7
Fuji instax Camera
I brought my new instant camera, because I really wanted to use it. The photo came out so well and I am definitely going to take a ton more with it.

#8
Tickets
Obviously if you are going to a concert you are going to need to bring your tickets, otherwise you won't be able to get in.

#9
Floppy Hat
This wasn't actually in my bag, I wore it for most of the day, but I think that wearing a hat is a super great item to make your festival outfit casual but still look really cool. Plus, you will be super comfy all day, and be focused on the event instead of your outfit. 

(This is the only good picture I had of me in the hat, but basically I was wearing it along with a solid black shirt from the brand Splendid, a pair of distressed jeans that I DIY-ed and white converse. It was super cute and comfy.)


xoxoxo
Nina




Song stuck in my head right now: Hercules - Sara Bareilles