A few years ago I was perusing the internet and found this little gold nugget: White Hot Chocolate on Gimme Some Oven.  I love making this around fall time all the way to the ends of winter. Its delicious,sweet, and oh so yummy!

Homemade White Hot Chocolate

4 cups of milk of your choice (or you can substitute heavy cream or half and half, or do a mixture)
1 tsp. vanilla extract
8 oz. white chocolate or white chocolate chips
whipped cream or marshmallows for topping ( I like to use peppermint whipped cream, it's amazing)

DIRECTIONS:

Stir together milk, vanilla and chopped white chocolate in a medium  Cook over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until the white hot chocolate comes to a simmer.  (Do not let it come to a boil.)  Remove from heat and serve immediately, topped with whipped cream or marshmallows if desired.




Some of my other fall faves:

1. Pumpkin Spice Latte
2.  Pecan Pie
3. Pumpkin Pie Pudding
4. Chai Spiced Apple Cider (I haven't actually tried this one yet but I hope to soon!)

Blogtober: Happy Halloween Memories

Halloween isn't really my holiday. I'm a Christmas person. I love making presents and getting a tree and making hot chocolate and watching Christmas movies and listening to Christmas songs. Christmas is my holiday. Yet somehow it's Halloween that surprises me the most. Halloween happens and tends to bring a lot of things to my doorstep, candy included. I did enjoy Halloween growing up. My mom took me out every year and dressed me up every year for out little parade at school. I do love the holiday. I love the craziness the openness, the quirkiness of it.

Now I personally don't remember this story but it's been told so many times that it might as well be a memory. I first went trick or treating when I was a year and half. My dad wrapped a bandanna around my head and took me out into the chilly Halloween night to get my first ever batch of Halloween candy. Apparently I was so taken with Halloween the next day I wrapped the bandanna around my tiny head and told my dad I wanted to go out again to get more candy. Someone forgot to mention to me that Halloween was a one night deal. Amid the chuckles and giggles of my amused family I guess someone told me that Halloween didn't happen every night. Needless to say my tiny little heart was disappointed and angry.

A couple years ago, my friend Marianne, my brother, and I all went trick or treating together. It was actually a lot of fun. We ran down the streets pretending to be whatever it was that we dressed up as that year. The place we used to go trick or treating in really goes all out. So there were really scary houses with mini haunted houses, to get to the candy. People run down the streets scaring one another. It was pretty awesome. We went to my house after securing just the right amount of candy. Unfortunately I had homework. I had a scary story due the next day. I actually had fun writing it, I think I even got an A on it.

Hosted by The Daily Tay and Helene in Between

My next memory is more recent. It was last year. The first year I didn't go trick or treating. My best friend, Marianne ,from Marianne Says, came over and we pigged out in front of the T.V and watched movies. There's something nice about just hanging out with someone with no expectations. It was Halloween and both of us are not fans of scary movies so opted for things like Warm Bodies, which had that scary element without ever being scary.

Blogtober: Dear Future Me,

I'm studying for my Unit 2 Psychology exam tomorrow. I'm so tired I think its quite possible i'll keel over at any point and just start sleeping. Today has pretty much just been about school and the art of being tired yet lucid enough to learn. I've often day dreamed about the future in class. I've dreamt up how my life would look ten years from now and to be quite honest it changes every time. When I was little 26 year old me seemed so old and so distant I couldn't even really imagine myself that age. Now it's still far away but I have this vague sense of what might have happened and how far I am from my goal, my dream, the reason I try in school right now.

I've imagined myself in New York, yet I've also daydreamed myself in L.A, sometimes even in England. By now you probably graduated from university so Congrats!! You are now the third person in our immediate family to go and graduate from college! I bet you Mom cried. And i bet because you saw her cry, you cried, and because you cried various other people cried. And suddenly there were happy tears everywhere! At least that's how I pictured it. You might be frequenting cafe's, relishing in independence, or maybe you're visiting mom every other weekend because you miss the food. Both of which your 16 year old self is okay with. Maybe you're already a published author, Maybe you're still struggling, in which case KEEP TRYING. Dreams don't work if you don't. Happiness is a journey not a destination. Okay i'm done being a Hallmark card for now.

I hope you have a better sense of what you're doing because i'm not really sure what i'm doing with my life half the time. Maybe it's because I need time to see how important High School is or something but sometimes I swear I feel so very lost. I know what I want it's just that getting there is hard and sometimes I lose sight of my end goal and just meander my way down the path. Maybe this being lost thing is just an angsty teen thing. Or maybe it's not. Guess only time will tell. And maybe you already know.

I guess it almost be time for the high school reunion huh? Bet you're feeling old right now. Time to get all nostalgic about high school and the people we know/knew.Its bittersweet knowing that in a couple years the chances of me actually retaining the friendships I have now are slim. Eventually they will be people in pictures, people laughing in my memories. But that will be that. I'm pretty sure you're feeling old right now. I hope I get to find new people. And I hope I still keep some of my old peeps.

So my question to you, future me, is would 16 year old me be happy with you? Are you making me proud? Are you still as cheesy as I am? Reading YA as fervently? Still into indie music? Maybe as you're reading this you're listening to my old high school playlists. Amazing just how much a song can be. It can be part of memories and feelings and action.  I've always wanted to grow up to be a strong, independent, girl with dreams bigger than the moon, yet making them come true. That's who i'm working on being. I think I saw somewhere on tumblr a quote that read "be the person you needed when you were younger". Are you that person?

The big thing, the most important thing, is knowing that i'm happy. That somewhere down the line I find that invigorating happiness that comes from being alive and letting life engulf you. And that, that happiness is around me all the time. Not that i'm not happy now, but it's hard to think happy thoughts when all you can think of is a)how tired you b)how hard your test is and c)will this look good on college apps. In between that it's hard to actually let life just work it's magic and make me feel all warm and fuzzy. I do have happy moments though and they'v been pretty awesome. Their just a little harder to come by. Then again it's junior year. That's just what happens.  I just hope that me working now, and me working 5 years down the line, will work in getting you happy. To the place we both know I want to be in.

Maybe happy means that i'm not where i'd thought i'd be. Maybe it means i'm somewhere random. Maybe it means that i'm working two jobs. Maybe that means i'm not published. Maybe it means I am. What ever it is I hope I'm happy. And if I find someone to be happy with too, that even more awesome.

So go be happy future me. Go be you. Go do whatever it is you do with your day. Or go do some crazy shit! Drink some tea, have some coffee. Maybe do something spontaneous like go visit Alaska!

Hosted by The Daily Tay and Helene in Between

Love Always,

Blogtober14: Fall Bucket List

Fall doesn't really exist in Southern California. It's still hot. I can still wear shorts and tank tops. That's sad. I love cold weather. I love sweaters. We do have a short cold spell but unfortunately its going to take it's sweet time getting here. So despite the lack of a cold crisp air, Pumpkin Spice Latte's are here so, in no particular order, and with the help of google, here's my fall bucket list 

1. Drink warm apple cider. I've never tried warm apple cider and I really really want to. I feel like when I try it, i'll love it. I don't even know how to get this? Do they sell warm apple cider in stores? Can I make it at home? 
2. Watch ABC family's Halloween marathon. I tell myself each year to actually watch the movie marathon but I can never stay tuned for the whole thing. I really hope this year is the exception. 
3. Wake up early and take a foggy early walk with my dog Ruby while wearing the biggest comfiest sweater I own. I found this one on google and added the sweater and walking my dog part. I never get up early enough to walk Ruby in the morning so I usually do it in the afternoon. I've always loved chilly mornings and always wanted to wake up and go for a walk. But I just never have. I feel like I need to do this. Maybe even make it a habit?
4. Go to the Homecoming Game.I went to the homecoming game Freshman year, but ditched it last year. I kinda want to go this year. It's not like I actually pay attention to the game. I usually just talk to my friends and cheer. And by usually I mean the two times i've ever been to a football game. One of which was this past Friday.
5. Order every Fall Starbucks Drink. I'm a creature of habit. I like routines. I usually never order anything new. There are only few things i've tried from Starbucks. I plan to just order every fall related drink they have. 
6. Go down to San Diego. This one is a little more personal I guess. My sister lives in San Diego and because i'm always so damn busy because of school I never get to go down to visit her. Thankfully she's been able to come up and see me. But it would be nice to spend a weekend down in San Diego, near the beach. To just chill with my sister in her hood. 
7. Go Stargazing. I've always wanted to do this and I saw this on someone else's list and it reminded me that I wanted to give this a shot. After all, nights are getting longer. Maybe I could even learn the placement of some constellations. 
8. Bake apple pie. I tried making an apple pie two years ago and it was a total fail. So this year my goal is to make the awesomest apple pie ever. You guys have any helpful hints? recipes? 
9. Watch all my show season premieres. So far i've been able to do this. But I really want to make sure I watch every season premiere the day it airs. After all I send the whole day in either in school or doing school work. Why shouldn't I have an hour to do something I want to do.
10. Make a fall playlist. I have playlists for everything. I even mentioned that in my Blogtober post a a couple days ago. Yet I don't seem to have a "fall" playlist. And since I love making playlist I figured now was a good a time as any to make my fall playlist.
11. Re-read Revolution for the 7th time. Yeah. This is one of those books I just love. And will never stop loving. So I'm going to read it for the first time this year. I'm excited. 
12. Collect and Press Leaves. I did this when I was a kid, Who's to say i'm too old to do this now!
13. Watch a scary movie. I hate being scared. So I obviously am NOT a fan of scary movies. But in the spirit of October and Fall and Halloween, I decided that one day this fall (probably during the day) i'll watch a super scary movie with a friend.
14. Make and decorate halloween cookies or cupcakes. Because I like baking and I love eating the things I bake. So why not make them cute and Halloween-y
15. Do something rebellious. I often get told that I act to much like an adult. And I guess because i'm always so caught up in school and stuff I forget to actually just be a teenager. Who ever said these are the best years of your life was dead WRONG. But my plan is to do something rebellious just to say I did it. So that when I'm old and my grandkids think i'm not cool I can tell them that one time I did something I wasn't supposed. t0. 
16. Write a letter to a random person, wishing them a happy month and Halloween. I have this book by Keri Smith where it has a bunch of post cards that you can send. One of the prompts is to send a random person a letter. When I saw it I just new I had to do it! They might think I'm crazy. Or I might make their day. On the off chance its the latter i'mma do it. 
17. Buy fall scented candles. I like candles. But i've never been like crazy about them. But since I want to make my room more autumn-y I thought this was  the best way to go!
18. Have a Supernatural Marathon. Just because.  
19. Document some of fall outfits. I've done a couple outfit posts and they've been really fun and easy to post. I love dressing up for school and looking nice. So why not post some OOTD posts. 
20. Take more pictures. I rarely take pictures. But I really want to remedy that. I want to take pictures with my Instax mini and with my phone (even though the quality sucks), with a film based camera. As time goes on, I'm beginning to realize that in a year and a half i'm going to be going/in college. Doing whatever it is I decide to do, whatever it is I decide to go. I really want to remember the last of my high school days, friends and just great moments. 

Hosted by The Daily Tay and Helene In Between

Blogtober14: 7 Deadly Sins of Reading

So it's been awhile but i'm finally doing this tag thanks to the lovely and talented Noelia. So for the fourth day in #Blogtober14 I'm going to do the 7 deadly Sins of reading. 

Greed – What is your most inexpensive book? What is your most expensive?

 I spent over $20 on Clockwork Princess, i'm not exactly sure how much it was but I remember thinking that it was expensive. I bought it as soon as it came out. I love this series so much. Everything about it is just brilliant! Turned I bought as an e-book, it cost me 99 cents. This was when I really into fantasy and more specifically the supernatural aspect of fantasy. I don't think I ever finished it.

Wrath – What author do you have a love/hate relationship with?

Ahh, P.C Cast and Kristin Cast. When I first discovered the House of Night books, I thought they were amazing! They had humor, romance, and suspense. I loved them so much and I still do. As much as I love these authors I hate the decisions they make in books. I even gave up on the series. I don't even know what number we're on anymore. But honestly I feel like half the time the decide something, they change their mind halfway through the book. So we're stuck with this random twist that actually didn't even need to happen.

Gluttony – What book have you devoured over and over with no shame?

If you know me at all, you know i'm in LOVE with this book. I practically fangirled over it in one of my Top Ten Tuesday posts! I've read it 6 times and I'm going for 7 this year. I honestly don't care how many times I've read and will read this book, it will and never has failed me. It's just impeccable. Like I can't even with my feels!

 Sloth – What book have you neglected reading due to laziness?

You ever have a series that you LOVE? Then after you've read it, you think about how not so good it was? Well this happened to me with the Immortals series. I still love it a lot! Don't get me wrong i'm a fan. But even I can't admit there are a lot of flaws and stuff going on that are a) really? b) Really, still? But I don't care, I love it! Anyways, back before I saw the problems with this series, this book came out. It's the last book in The Immortals. I bought it and I was so excited, but I got busy and lazy and I've abandoned it. And now that I see all the problems, I'm even less likely to finish it.

Pride – What book do you talk about most in order to sound like an intellectual reader?

Personally, I don't read anything to impress other people. I read for me, as I'm sure many of you guys do. And for some reason classics seem to be what people use to sound/seem smarter. I haven't read many classics sooo I guess to some people the books I read aren't "intellectual" when in reality they really are. I really hate some of the stereotypes about YA Lit. It's so frustrating

Lust – What attributes do you find attractive in male or female characters?

Will Herondale. Jace Herondale, Jem Carstairs. Enough Said. 

Envy – What book(s) would you most like to receive as a gift

Isn't it just beautiful?

Alright so thats it! I guess this is the part where I tag people. I tag anyone who reads this post and want to do it!. If you already have this post up feel free to link it in the comments cuz i'd love to check it out! 

Blogtober: One Thing I Can't Live Without

If i'm going to be entirely honest with myself the very first thing I thought of was my ipod. I love music. There's not a day I don't use my iPod.  I love how it can be exactly what you feel, exactly what you want to say. I love being able to dance like on idiot with my headphones on. I love being able to rock out while doing homework. I love being able to listen to music when all I feel like doing is crying.

The fact of the matter is this I need music in my everyday life. Thus my one "can't live without out it item" is my iPod. Man, i've had the iPod for a really long time. I first got it in fifth grade and i'm now in 11th grade. That thing has lasted me 6 years. 6 solid years. Talk about the sentimental value that thing has.

I've taken my iPod everywhere with me. I took it to my first day of middle school. I listened to music on it while trying not to cry the week 8th ended. I woke up listening to music on it on the first day I started high school. I took it to Costa Rica with me when I went when I turned 15. It's been a constant little companion with me the last few years.

Also I doubt i'm the only one, but I tend to make a crazy amount of playlists for emotions, phases, to help me study, to help me write, hell I have my own blogging playlist. Those playlists are pretty awesome. And here comes my uber dramatic teenager scene: It's safe to say that my iPod and its playlists are pretty much my life in song form. I'd like to keep them.

It's weird, how long things last. My iPod's lasted me 6 years. I've had friendships last 10. I've known people for 3 years. You're only in high school for four years. Yet somehow, no matter how many times it falls or it freezes, it has manged to survive. And play my music.

I guess you could say that music is an essential part of my life. Music just has the power. Its a universal thing. A thing that can be anything, mean anything to anyone. That's some powerful stuff!

Dream Jobs Then and Now: Blogtober

It's October. The beginning of warm sweaters, cold days, and pumpkin spiced latte's. I love fall. Actually I just love the colder seasons. Something about the chilly air and wearing chunky knits just makes me happy :) So I found about Blogtober yesterday and after some prompting by Thea Woods I decided why not? Why not post everyday? I'm so psyched! I'm not doing the all the challenges because I still want to keep doing book related posts, but I think doing the challenges will be good for me and this blog. So yeah, Blogtober people! It's here! I'm pumped! Are You? 

What I Wanted to Be When I was Younger

Children have fun fantasies of being superheroes, princesses, princes, ballerinas, firefighters etc. That wasn't me. I was never dreaming of one day being queen or getting a crown like some little girls dream of. No, I was a practical even as a kid. I wanted to be veterinarian.

 I grew up watching a lot of animal planet. I watched The Crocodile Hunter, Most Extreme, The Jeff Corwin Experience, Animal Miracles and lastly Emergency Vets. I would watch animal planet almost every day. In fact I watched Emergency Vets almost every day before going to school So my little brain, at the time, thought that being a vet would be a good fit for me. And for the longest time it made sense, until I realized I couldn't handle poking and prodding animals or telling people that their pet died. So at the tender age of 9 I had to find a new career.

I've been dancing since I was four. I'm 16, you do the math. When I started middle school I decided I wanted to be a dancer. Which isn't practical, but it was what I thought I wanted at the time.

Goodness was I delirious about that. I mean I'm an okay dancer, and I do it because it's fun. But I'm not talented enough to go pro. I remember telling my family this and the shock on their face was all I needed to tell me that maybe this wouldn't be the best career choice for me. 

What I Want to Be Now

I had this English teacher in middle school who made me really love writing. She encouraged creative writing in the class and I just loved it. She was writing a book and she would tell us about it every once in a while. This sparked an idea in my head. After she made me her student of the month I started to write my first book, which I never finished because, well, let's just say the world doesn't need to see some things. But I'm writing a new novel along with some short stories. 

I'm passionate about writing. I just love writing. Its a great outlet and I love pouring pieces of me into the characters or the things they say. I love creating worlds and people and being able to just play pretend. I have a theory that writers never grow up. I hope that's true, because I never want to loose my inner five year old, or my inner teenager.

Stephen Chbosky said, when I went to a panel he was on, that if we're writing, then we're writers. So I'm a writer. I want to be published. I want to walk into Barnes and Noble and see my book on the shelf. Thats my dream. Thats my dream career

Blogtober: Waiting on Love and Other Variables

Release Date: October 7, 2017
Charlie Hanson has a clear vision of his future. A senior at Brighton School of Mathematics and Science, he knows he’ll graduate, go to MIT, and inevitably discover solutions to the universe’s greatest unanswered questions. He’s that smart. But Charlie’s future blurs the moment he reaches out to touch the tattoo on a beautiful girl’s neck. 
The future has never seemed very kind to Charlotte Finch, so she’s counting on the present. She’s not impressed by the strange boy at the donut shop—until she learns he’s a student at Brighton where her sister has just taken a job as the English teacher. With her encouragement, Charlie orchestrates the most effective prank campaign in Brighton history. But, in doing so, he puts his own future in jeopardy. 
By the time he learns she's ill—and that the pranks were a way to distract Ms. Finch from Charlotte’s illness—Charlotte’s gravitational pull is too great to overcome. Soon he must choose between the familiar formulas he’s always relied on or the girl he’s falling for (at far more than 32 feet per second squared)

Add it on Goodreads

Why do I want to read it?

I'm such a sucker for a good love story! I already love the tittle and the cover and the summary sold me! This book seems cute and the plot seems to have depth. 

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Breaking the Spine