photography update

hey y'all! 

way back in november i posted about a free three week camp that I was auditioning for, for my photography (see that post here)

i mentioned in that post that 150-200 people were auditioning for the New Media group - the one I was trying to get into - and only 10 people can get it. 

in order to audition you had to have a portfolio of ten pieces. 

the hardest part of the whole process for applying was probably picking out my ten best pictures.

that being said i wanted to let you all know that i was selected as an alternate

i basically started crying tears of happiness when i read the letter that said i was an alternate

i know it might not sound like a big deal, but only 10 people can go to the camp and there are only two alternates selected. 

only sophomores and juniors can apply so juniors usually have the better chance. 

anyway i'm SO ecstatic that i maybe possible have the chance of attending such a prestigious camp.

i find out in mid-april if i get to go! 

fingers and toes and eyes crossed 

here are a few of my portfolio pieces if you're interested 

**i love critiques/comments**

please leave critiques/feedback on my pictures

thanks for reading! 

what's wrong with me?

I started this blog about a year ago when I was stuck in bed with mono without anything to do. As most of you know, mono was only a small part of what was wrong with me. 

I have been struggling with health problems for the past two years without knowing what was truly wrong with me. 

I had been to countless doctors - pediatricians, gastroenterologists, infections disease doctors, rheumatologists, and so on.  It's been a long long journey because many of the doctors told me that what I had was "in my head" or "non-medical."

I even had a doctor tell me that since I was a teenage girl that has good grades and gets along with my mom, that I was depressed. Like... what?

Being sick has drastically changed my life in many ways  - both for the good and the bad. 

Any way, if you scroll through my blog you can see some of the other posts that I've written about my health! 

I went to Mayo Clinic this past week to finally figure everything out! It was a super awesome experience and I am happy to say that I have a diagnosis.

{plane ride to Minnesota) 

My name is Chloe, and I have POTS also known as postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome ;) 

It's hard to explain what it actually means, but basically nervous system doesn't send signals to my blood vessels like it should and my circulation doesn't work right. It also means that I have debilitating fatigue. 

{mayo clinic}

So my symptoms (and there are different ones for others) include :

-super debilitating fatigue 

-sweaty feet and palms

-my legs turn blue/purple if I stand too long

-stomach pain

-headaches/dizziness 

{they gave out free books in the waiting room, so I chose the classic nancy drew}

Now you might be wondering if there is anything I can do heal POTS. Unfortunately, there isn't a quick fix pill that can help. Fortunately, teens do outgrow POTS which is the great part. In order to help the healing process I have to...

1. Eat as much salty food as possible
2. Drink loads and loads of water + salty drinks (Gatorade)

3. Exercise!!  

4. Sleep at least 9 1/2 hours a night 

I'm so happy to finally have an answer and know that what I have had for these past two years hasn't been "in my head."

You may get sick of it, but I might post stuff now and again about POTS. Especially since it's a big issue for teen girls - I met a bunch who were diagnosed while I was at Mayo Clinic. My mom and I are sort of on a mission now to spare other teens the 2 years of questions I've been through. So, if you know ANYone with any of these symptoms, please have them contact me!!

thanks so much for reading! 
if you have any questions at all, don't hesitate to ask! 

xox

{anatomy of a thank-you note}

Hi everyone, I’m Julia from the blog Newport Jules guest posting for Chloe today!

Inspired by my birthplace of Newport Beach, California, and my current location in sunny Florida, I created Newport Jules for real girls who love all things monogrammed, organized, and adorable! I'm a senior in high school this year and a total prepster!

I always love getting a handwritten thank you note, especially after spending time and money choosing the perfect gift. I hope I’m not the only one who hates those generic “Thank you for the nice gift. I hope you had fun at my birthday party.” thank you notes! 

Even though it takes more time to write an individualized letter for every gift received, I try my best to write a personal note for significant gifts I receive (birthday, holidays, graduation, etc.). Plus, it’s an excuse to buy adorable stationary---monogrammed, please! 

So if you’re daunted by how to write that perfect thank-you note to your lovely grandma, here’s your guide---just keep it short, sweet, and specific. 

Here are my absolute favorite stationary sets that make writing thank-you’s fun.

Monogrammed---the one in my note! 

More monogrammed

Full name

Patterned 

Thanks for reading! Hope you stop by my blog, Newport Jules, for more!

love, Newport Jules

q&a

it's time for another youtube video! 

this time it's a q&a 

so put your earplugs in, turn up the volume, and get ready to experience my awkwardness - yet again

thanks for watching! 

What's In My Bag

hey y'all! 

i recently stumbled upon the amazing Kristina of EmmaKisstina 

she is a fantastic illustrator, and I was super lucky enough to do a little collaboration with her

you've probably seen some of her what's in my bag illustrations floating around pinterest, but now i have one of my own! 

Kristina is super talented, and her entire etsy shop is just to die for so you should most definitely go check it out

here's what kristina had to say about my "what's in my bag" :

 " First up is super sweet Chloe of The Preppy Diaries. Got to love her fun, classic, teen style, with a big pinch of prep. I love her picks of classics, mixed with a pack of gum and a few bobby pins... and her wish for a bubblegum pink background (that's my girl!) Also got a little crush on that pink and green aligator Iphone case. So cute! " 

Also I want to congratulate Dorothy from PrepInYourStep for winning my Super Sweet Giveaway

choosing the winner was no easy task, and I absolutely LOVED all of the entries!!

What's your favorite item in your bag?

Thanks for reading 

alternative blog post

i hope y'all can read it!!