My Scarlet Letter

Writer • Bibliophile • Artist • 26 years old "We read to know we are not alone."

[redheadwriter86]

Pinky Swear 🤲🏻💕

[redheadwriter86]

Really love what I got on @Etsy from TheWordWrap. #etsystar #wordwrap #booksaver #professionalreader #you #carolinekepnes https://etsy.me/2vsWWCH

[music-and-quotes]

If you’re a lover, you should know, the lonely moments just get lonelier the longer you’re in love than if you were alone

Panic! At The Disco, House Of Memories (via music-and-quotes)

[redheadwriter86]

New Tech, New Things Coming.

That’s right!! I got a new laptop/tablet. It is a HP Pavilion x360 with the Bamboo Ink Stylus, and I am absolutely loving it!! No wonder Best Buy had to ship it in to my house. Apparently they are so hot on the market, they are just flying off the shelves. The ability to flip seamlessly from tablet to laptop is so useful and with the Bamboo Ink Stylus, I am so eager to write and sketch from anywhere. My biggest issue lately is having enough carrying capacity in my Kanken for my writing and my art supplies to be with me at all times whenever inspiration strikes. One additional accessories set I purchased for the tablet feature and Bamboo is a hard carrying case for the stylus and interchangeable tips, as well as a stylus glove. I had never heard of the glove before but I am glad I searched about the struggle with resting my hand on the screen, which then interrupts the computers ability to differentiate between the stylus and touch use. Obviously hovering my hand awkwardly over the screen whilst trying to work was going to be a major issue for me. Now I just need to get my new Samsung Galaxy S10+ whenever it releases.

A lot of my friends have asked why I haven’t converted to an Apple seeing as they are notorious for artistic types utilizing their technology, but the truth is I am really not much of an Apple product user, nor do I have the desire to be. It probably seems the most hipster to be an artist/writer and yet be uninterested in Apple products. Generally speaking, I feel like they are great computers etc, but kind of overrated. I can accomplish so much more on Windows/Samsung products as far as customization and user friendliness. The only downside to Windows/Samsung products that Apple does have locked down are the super cool trendy cases and accessories. I swear, I just want tech cases that have black and silver sparkles floating, or marble design. Something cooler than just an Otterbox (not that Otterbox is a bad product; they just lack the “cool” factor). 

Another piece of tech I also am interested in is getting the Polaroid Zip Mobile Printer. I have my Polaroid Instax, but I would love to have some of the photos from my phone printed on Polaroid film. There is just something about the Polaroid aesthetic that many people, myself included, are just drawn to. It is simple and yet has stood the test of time. Even though the Cloud is an absolute requirement for saving everything, there is just something so nostalgic and sentimental about having that little pocket sized photo in hand.

And finally... Wattpad! I can’t believe I didn’t know how absolutely life altering this app would be! I am now addicted and hope that if/when I write something worth sharing, others may read and be interested in what goes on in my head. As would make sense, I am still RedheadWriter86 on there as well. It’s mind-blowing to me how many physical copies of novels, collected poems, etc that I have picked up in physical form at Barnes & Noble that originated as a Wattpad upload. It seems like a great way to get found as an author and then have the chance to really be a name in the writing world. I guess I am not ashamed to admit, I am terrified of uploading literally anything I write for the fear of no one being interested. I suppose, though, that it isn’t about anyone being interested; it’s the courage to put oneself out in the world for all to see, and that is damn inspiring. No great author ever became one had they not thrust themselves into the world ready to either be renowned or eaten alive by critics. I guess the first step would be to get something out of the mind and on paper (whether physical or electronic). That’s where I need to spend most of my time.

So, I leave this post and tune into the right brain to attempt to get one step closer to what I have always wanted to be using the tools I have acquired. Ciao!

[blanketedsea-blog]

[redheadwriter86]

I freaking love Kurt Halsey's artwork. So simple but so beautiful and poetic. Plus he has cute little written captions, phrases, or thoughts written on his artwork. Also, I feel like Young The Giant's reprise version of "Superposition" matches this artwork perfectly. If you don't know either this artist or band, I suggest looking them both up asap.

[redheadwriter86]

I’m back! Check out my most recent blog post.

[redheadwriter86]

Been a while...

It’s been a while since I posted. Mostly because I was super busy being pregnant and having my daughter in December. But I’m back! I assume my content might evolve now that I’m a young mom in addition to everything else. As a result, I am living on coffee again (no energy drinks allowed yet... thank you breastfeeding...), and finding that it is apparently acceptable to go without washing my hair for days on end since, at a certain point, throwing it in a bun with a copious amount of hairspray, dry shampoo, and bobby pins seems to do the trick whilst still looking moderately acceptable in public. Regardless, I’ll give an update and try to post more often. (For those of you wondering, I am jamming to the Donnie Darko soundtrack as I write this. If you haven’t watched Donnie Darko, I highly encourage you to do so. It is brilliant.)

So, aside from having a baby, which in itself is a pretty big deal, I have been wanting to go back to writing my book. I still don’t have much direction on where it’s headed or even what it’ll be since I only have a preface and Chapter One done(ish). Thankfully, I will have some dedicated time to work on it, especially because my daughter is a night owl and as a result, I don’t even sort of wind down for the “night” until four or five in the morning. So it’s entirely feasible to have several hours to find inspiration.

On another note, Game of Thrones comes back in April just in time for my birthday. I don’t know about anyone else, but I am so Team Targaryen #ForTheThrone. I started rewatching the series from the beginning and it’s amazing how much more I have caught that I didn’t before. I really should actually read the series, but unfortunately, I was unaware that it is a book series when I started watching it. Usually, I like to read a story before I watch the television adaptation. I will say, though, that the latest side book “Fire & Blood” by George RR Martin is amazing. It’s a history of the House Targaryen, so it appeals to me particularly, given my affinity for Daenerys Stormborn (First of her name, The Unburnt, Queen of the Andals, the Rhoynar and the First Men, Queen of Meereen, Khaleesi of the Great Grass Sea, Protector of the Realm, Lady Regent of the Seven Kingdoms, Breaker of Chains and Mother of Dragons). Given that it is written as a historical account by one of the Maesters of the Citadel (I can’t remember which one at the moment), I am very slow to read it. Fun Fact: I struggle with historical accounts of everything, fictional or otherwise. I am not sure why, but I have always been this way. Honestly, I have no clue how I managed to get in and pass AP US History in high school. I am still shocked. And I won’t admit my lack of knowledge to this day. My husband is a history buff and makes fun of me for it. Anyways, that’s besides the point... Basically, anyone who likes Game of Thrones should really pick it up. There are even some pretty neat illustrations scattered throughout the book. Overall, just another literary masterpiece by Mr. Martin. 

While I’m on a mainstream pop culture rant, let me just say... YOU (on Netflix, originally a novel by Carolyn Kepnes) was equally binge-worthy, addicting, creepy, make-you-wanna-delete-all-your-social-media-and-disappear-completely, and absolutely annoying! For one thing, Guinevere Beck... Totally oblivious, very frustrating, and exactly the angsty wannabe writer that I can relate to, in an odd way. For another thing, Joe Goldberg... How is it that you are such a creeper, and yet I found myself actually cheering for you all the way till the end?! Anyways,without giving much away, I highly recommend this as well. I watched the entire season start to finish in one Sunday. That’s partially due to being a mom to an infant and being on maternity leave, but whatever. Just watch it! 

Now that I have done nothing but review books-turned-TV-shows, I will sign off for now and promise to be back again soon. Laters... 

[poems-and-word]

[redheadwriter86]

Unexpected Treasures

So I got my Kanken 13in today! It came in early, which was so exciting. Thank you, Mom, for your clutch timing on that. I got the Leaf Green, as I mentioned briefly in a past post. I knew it would be awesome, but I didn’t realize how perfect it would be. It’s so compact and despite all that I have in it, the Kanken isn’t crammed at all. It couldn’t get more convenient if even if Fjallraven tried. The color is great, it’s spacious, the zips go all the way open, the shoulder pads are just right..... Basically, what everyone else has said about this bag is 100% right.

I also got my Polaroid Instax Mini 9 two days ago. It is so much fun to use. I got the Smokey White color (I’m not too big on wild colors), as well as the brown “vegan leather” case. Sneak peak... it’s in my Kanken and will stay there; stay tuned for the other items I’ll tell you about in my “What’s in my Kanken”. In the few times I have used it so far, the only negative (pun intended) that I have seen with the Instax Mini 9 is the automatic exposure adjustment. I have read that others have experienced this issue too. Basically, the camera will sense and suggest an exposure setting based on the ambient lighting when it is turned on. I have found that I need to set the aperture one setting darker than the camera suggests. For instance, if the camera suggests I use the Sunny setting, I would use the Very Sunny setting so that my photos aren’t overexposed. My first two photos came out ghosted because I was taking a photo outdoors on a clear afternoon and the camera suggested Sunny. I should have chosen the Very Sunny setting, but I am not even sure that that would have made it much better anyways. Other than that, I love this camera. I plan on going downtown tomorrow to this really cool wine and art bar, and probably to a used book and vinyl store I discovered, which brings me to the next treasure I have come to possess.

Target’s electronics department is running a sale on Crosley Cruiser portable three speed record players (the sale ends in a day and a half, from what I understand) for $49.99 plus tax, with the option of an add-on 2 year warranty for $5.00 more. I went ahead and finally bought it since it was on sale, especially since it is my first, I didn’t want to spend an arm and leg on it. I got the light blue one to match my library/study (maybe I’ll do a “What’s in my Library” YouTube video after the “What’s in my Kanken”). And, seeing as I didn’t have any vinyl to play, when I was at Barnes and Noble, I found a copy of “(What’s the Story) Morning Glory” by Oasis. My husband (yes, I’m already married. Sorry guys...) and I have a particular attachment to the hit song “Wonderwall”.Since he is just getting home from a long work trip in Boston, I figured I would get this vinyl to surprise him with when we get home. This record player is great for a beginner such as myself, although I have heard some negative reviews of it by recordheads on YouTube, etc. I like it and I guess that is all that matters, and maybe one day as I get deeper into the vinyl world I will upgrade. As it stands, I would say go get a Crosley Cruiser, but I know that some of you may have a bone to pick with me on that, but I don’t care. This is my post and I’m sticking to it.

I’m out. Peace!

[redheadwriter86]

Hi, everyone! This is just the companion vlog to my page. This basically will be a literarily and artistically based vlog filled with book reviews and what I’m currently reading, photography discussion, bullet journaling, wanderlust worthy places I have traveled or will be traveling to, random stuff, and the occasional “what’s in my bag?”. If you’re lucky, you may also get a video of me talking about absolute nonsense while holding my bearded dragon, Drogon, and/or petting my spirit animal / fur child, Barry. So… Enjoy, and feel free to comment and/or request video topics. Thanks, peeps! ✌🏻🦖

[redheadwriter86]

Super stoked to be getting my first Fjallraven Kånken for my 25th birthday from my parents. This is gonna be so dope for holding all my essentials. I'll post a "what's in my bag" when it gets here. Stay tuned. ✌🏻🦖🌺

[redheadwriter86]

🔥 Mother of Dragons 🔥 This is Drogon. And I am not a queen.. I'm a khaleesi. 👑

[redheadwriter86]

Finding my creativity again...

I feel like I've lost a true love in my life. I have lost my creativity and my right brain tendencies because of stress. I can't write/read, draw, take photos, explore... The monotony of life has sucked me dry. I want to find that girl again. The one who was in her head all the time and was blind to the things that could have been right in front of her because all she could see was in her mind's eye. I want to find that girl who favored introverted traits, rather than always trying to compete with the status of the woman next to her. I have lost her in the recesses of my subconscious. She lingers, begging to come out like a prisoner on death row; if she isn't released, she may be lost forever. And then what was it worth, growing up the black sheep? The duckling grew up to be a swan, a socialite copying the art of those around her. I need to release her from her bonds, but I can't find the keys. She is shackled to the walls of despair, depression, and fear. But she longs for an empty notebook, a pen, a Polaroid camera, a rucksack, and an unopened book. She is standing at the edge of the cliff of her life and regardless of two choices available to her, a differnt part of her will die depending on her choice. So, which way should she go? I say she should just fall upward to the infinite beyond...

[redheadwriter86]

If I look back I am lost.

Daenerys Targaryen, A Song of Fire and Ice

[redheadwriter86]

Some beach somewhere, there's a big umbrella casting shade over an empty chair. Palm trees are growing, warm breezes blowing. I picture myself there, some beach somewhere.

Anonymous

[redheadwriter86]

Cigarette daydreams 💭

[redheadwriter86]

One of three travel companions.