Someone Somewhere

Hello!
I am back with my first outfit for Spring! Spring is my favorite season because I adore flowers, and yet I find it one of the hardest seasons to dress for. During Fall and Winter, you can hide behind layers and tights, but Spring is that awkward transition where you shed your layers before you dress for comfort in Summer's heat.



This is the striped top I lived in all of last week! I'm not joking. I bought it on Monday, wore one on Tuesday, the other on Wednesday; did laundry on Wednesday; wore one on Thursday, and the other on Friday. I also have it in black since it came in a two-pack! I really considered getting other colors, but blue and black are so versatile! I'm still on the hunt for the perfect red striped top though!

(wearing: striped top--h&m; floral skirt--zara; black tights--target; oxford flats--payless [via Chictopia Rewards]; flower ring--charlotte russe)

So shopping this week so far has been successful! I finally found a floral skirt! I've been looking for one since last summer! I found it at Zara for only $15! I'm seriously debating whether I should get the other color it comes in... :) I also bought a dress from Zara that I'll debut when it gets hotter! I went a bit ring crazy this break and have bought three! I stupidly left my favorite one at Robert's place on Saturday...and have been without it this whole week.



My hair is becoming awkward...I don't know whether I want to cut it again or grow it out! As much as I loved my bob hair, I have had the same hair for years now and would love a change. I tried the straight-bangs, but they just got annoying...I think going back to longer hair may be just what I need. I am impatient though and always end up chopping it back to a short bob! We will see...





I cannot believe Spring Break is pretty much over since I have work over the weekend! Why is it always just one week?! I'm not quite sure I have found that "thing" I was looking for this break, but I don't have the time or the money to stray too far from my signature look so I'll just work with what I have! I'm kind of thankful to have tomorrow to myself. I hope I'm able to get out and take some photos!

Until next post,
Jasmine

PS. Don't forget to enter my Spring Giveaway!

Spring Giveaway

Giveaway closed on April 01, 2010 at 12 A.M.

Hello!
I am starting to feel rested and refreshed! Thank you all for your sweet and encouraging comments on my last post. I went shopping yesterday with my bestie and while I didn't really buy anything, I did try on different looks. I just haven't found that thing yet...maybe today :) I did find something for this giveaway though...





To celebrate the coming of Spring and my reaching of 100 followers, the winner of this Spring Giveaway will receive:
1. A red graphic tote from American Eagle Outfitters

I bought this tote a looong time ago, but never really got around to using it. It's a bit beat up from going through cycles of closet-cleaning, but I was just never able to let it go. But I'm sure one of you would make better use of it! With the cool sunset print, it'd be the perfect beach bag this summer!

2. Vintage Bib Necklace that I won via Chictopia Rewards
3. Vintage Bangle that I won via Chictopia Rewards

I tried to style these but they're just not me! Maybe the next person can give it a go! Though the bangle does make an amazing paper weight...

4. Bow Earrings from Charlotte Russe

I bought these yesterday. Since my ears are not pierced, I want to style these vicariously through the lucky winner :) They're so cute! Ah!

Spring Giveaway Requirements:
1. Leave your name and your email address.
2. Because this giveaway is to thank my followers, you must be a follower (either thru google reader or bloglovin').
3. Tell me your favorite flower (mine is the sunflower!).
4. Canada and U.S. residents only! Sorry to my international readers, maybe next time!

The winner will be randomly chosen through random.org.

Giveaway will end on April 01, 2010.

Good luck!

Apologies

(via flickr)

Hi everyone.
I'm so sorry for the absence, especially during spring break. It's inexcusable, really. But I'm sort of going through a lot right now. There's just so much to do and yet I find myself being bored a lot. It's safe to say that I'm just not feeling up to dressing up these days...I've been living in my striped tops, but in a not-so-chic way. It's just been a striped top, shorts, and shoes; so you're not missing too much...

I've been in that closet-full-of-clothes-but-nothing-to-wear-phase for about a week now and it doesn't seem to be letting up either. I don't understand why...It's officially Spring and the weather has been amazing lately! I think I'm becoming a one-trick-pony: I'm the girl in stripes or the girl with the bow in her hair. I think I've boxed myself into this niche by hoarding striped tops and bows for about a year now. As much as I love having my own signature style, I think I need a change...I haven't experimented with different looks in a while. No worries I won't turn into edgy and come back in all-black, because that's just not me. I think I just need to inject some...thing into my outfits. I'm not sure what it is...Shopping is definitely necessary this week.

Look forward to a discussion post and a giveaway this week. Hopefully I find what I need when Robert takes me shopping today Wednesday so I can get back into posting outfits.

Thanks for understanding!

Until next post,
Jasmine

Currently obsessed with these songs:
1. Begin Again -- Colbie Caillat
2. The End -- Jason Reeves

Kindly Unspoken

Hello!
So first off, I want to thank all my readers! I have officially hit 100 followers, and am already thinking of ideas for a giveaway! Thank you, thank you, thank you! You don't know how happy this made me yesterday!



There won't be any outfit post today or for the next few days since I have finals on Tuesday and Wednesday, but I am so excited for Spring Break! I have so many plans that I know it's going to go by too quickly as always. The weather is pretty warm now (80+ degrees) too! I am seriously considering just sitting outside to study, but with all the people walking by, it'll be super distracting. I hate it when the weather is perfect outside and you have to stay inside to work or study.







Also, check out my first magazine feature! Wolfram Magazine is a new online magazine based here in Orange County, and I am honored to have a six-page spread! I loved this issue, especially the 24-hours of New York City photography spread!



I also just redeemed a pair of oxford flats via Chictopia Rewards! Finally a reward I'll probably wear a lot! The bracelet and the necklace that I redeemed before didn't turn out to be very "me," so I'll probably give them both away here :)

I really must get to studying now. I wasted the entire weekend, and my friends and I are having a BBQ tonight since some of them are on Spring Break already. Ahh! I haven't had Korean BBQ in so long and always salivate when Kristy mentions it on her blog. Yum!

Until next post,
Jasmine

PS. I am currently obsessed with this song: Pyramid -- Charice ft. Iyaz. I'm not really into mainstream music, but I'm a sucker for ballads. I'm glad an Asian is finally breaking into the music industry.

"Wishing every moment froze
Now I just wanna let you know
Earthquakes can't shake us
Cyclones can't break us
Hurricanes can't take away our love."

Tied Together with a Smile

Hello!
Thank you all for your input on my last discussion post! I truly love reading all your thoughts! Some of you said that if they judge me wrongly because of my blog, then they're not truly my friends; and I think that's why I don't tell people because I don't have a lot of "true friends." The people who do know I trust completely. So I am content with my secrecy. Some of you also said that having your friends read your blog could change your content too, and that is true. The carefreeness and bliss I do enjoy from blogging is because it's secret! And I love it, and I love you all! :)

Onto today's outfit...

(wearing: red sequined bow--kaitlyn; white lace tank top--forever 21; teal skirt and saddle oxfords--urban outfitters; gray tights--walmart)

I've been wanting to take photos with my brick chimney for a while, but since I don't own a tripod I couldn't. The weather has been hot recently so the sun was glaring in my usual photo spot, so I dragged a trash can and a notebook and set up a makeshift tripod. I really should invest in one, especially since I'm going into photography, but I find them so cumbersome. I actually borrowed one for Saturday's wedding, but ended up not using it at all. But it'd be useful for outfit shots...



Somewhere in between realizing I pressed "off" on my alarm instead of "snooze" and running out the door, I always manage to make time to read a few blogs in the morning, usually while my flat iron is heating up or while I'm brushing my teeth. So it's sort of inevitable I ended up wearing my white-lace top today after seeing Jen's post and Diya's post.





Today is the last day of the quarter, and next week is finals week. I'm lucky that I only have two finals (Tuesday and Wednesday), because usually I overload myself and have four finals! Today was also supposed to be my last day at my internship, but I couldn't leave the kids just yet so I signed on for another quarter! Yay! I'm sort of relieved I've found a back-up plan if photography never works out...Having a day-care center would be so fulfilling and fun! The kids all loved my bow today!



I also wanted to share with you my recent obsession...Special K's Vanilla Almond + Honey Nut Cheerios! So amazing together! I never really eat breakfast, but lately I have been. I've also been eating this for snack and sometimes dinner...! In fact I think I'll go get some after this post... :) As you can see, I barely put any milk in my cereal; how do you eat yours?



I'm simultaneously uploading photos for the newly wed couple to see! I'll do a post with some photos soon, most likely after finals! These next few days are going to suck...but after, I'll be on spring break! Yay!

Until next post,
Jasmine

PS. Did you catch Lady Gaga's newest video?! I forced it into my morning routine this morning. Amazing as always! Her cigarette sunglasses were so awesome! I hated how much product placement there was in the video (ie. virgin mobile, polaroid, diet coke, etc.). My friends' degrading comments on her videos via facebook definitely reaffirmed my want to keep this blog secret. They just don't understand how amazing the fashion is in that video and all her other videos. Only you would know she wore McQueen in the last video!

Penny For Your Thoughts: Anonymous Friends

(via flickr)

Hello!
I managed to crank out three papers in the last couple days, and I am so drained! And yet, I feel like writing a discussion post today...So sorry if my writing isn't as coherent as it usually is!

So what I want to know is...
Do you tell your friends about your blog? Why or why not? If you have, what were their reactions?

Before I created this blog and way before I started posting photos on Chictopia, my sole blog was my Xanga (haha remember those?!). I started that blog when I was in middle school (7th grade) and recently abandoned it last year (I'm a third year in college). My blog name even had X's in them! That blog held my ramblings, photos, memories, and most importantly, some of my most personal thoughts during the most awkward stages of my life. The reason that I let go of that blog and was so hesitant to start a new one was because of some drama that transpired over a post I had written, stupidly thinking no one read my blog anymore. While friendships are still on the mend or are forever scarred by that incident, I have become so weary that I keep my blog a secret to people I know. Its secrecy is pretty liberating actually. I have a space to call my own and have readers who won't judge me as a narcissist. Friendships have even been formed here. In fact, I think my readers know more about me than my friends do...but I don't mind. You are all so much nicer hehe :)

(via tumblr)

You all think I am sweet and cute, and I am; but I'm also a loner. I think friends just fall away as your romantic relationship grows. It's just inevitable, and some people just don't understand that when I started dating Robert, my priorities just changed. But that's an entirely different topic that could be saved for a separate post. I actually wrote about it before on my tumblr, here. Anyway, as I'm growing older and filtering through those shallow friendships, the friendships I do have now are few and close ones, and with people I truly love and trust. But even then, I haven't really told them about my blog. Most don't even know I went to New York a few weeks ago. I think I'm just scared of being misjudged as a narcissist, because my computer is now filled with photos of myself in different outfits. While I do wish I had a tangible/real person to talk about fashion with in person and to take pictures with, it's comforting having faceless readers who support me. I'm also a pretty competitive person and would feel pressured to dress better than friends if they had a blog. I also tend to dress a little more "normal" when I hang out with friends, which explains why I never have photos from my outtings. I don't think any of them have seen me in a high-waisted skirt.

I don't really know why I'm so embarassed/ashamed to be into fashion and have this blog, but I am. Should I be?

Hmm...I know I have more thoughts on this topic, but I think all the thoughts are lost in translation into text. Let me know what you think! I'm off to turn in my last paper of the quarter!

Until next post,
Jasmine

Love is now a stardust of yesterday.

Hello again!

I wasn't working on my papers anyway, so I thought I might as well be productive and update here!





This is what I wore to the wedding on Saturday. It was the perfect outfit to shoot photos in because it was so comfortable and relaxed, yet formal enough to blend in with the guests. In my last outfit post, some of you mentioned that you loved to wear dresses, and after finding this one, I can see why. Dresses are an easy fix, but because they are so easy, they have so much more potential with the right accessories. This dress is one I can see myself wearing on an everyday-basis, especially during the summer. I was actually bought it to wear in New York along with my red striped crop top, but ended up not wearing it.

(wearing: gray cardigan and saddle oxfords--urban outfitters; blue dress and braided belt--forever 21; blue hair accessory--h&m; tights--target)

My clock necklace was so useful on Saturday because the bride and I rarely had our cell phones to check the time. I'm thinking I'll be wearing this little necklace to every gig, unless of course I find a watch that I don't find annoying.



It's been raining for almost a week now. Once the clouds have had their cries though, it'll be Spring! Even though my outfits don't really change with the seasons, it'll just be nice to have constant sunshine and green trees again.

Well back to writing papers I go...I'm so jealous of those of you on Spring Break!

Until next post,
Jasmine

Ready to Fly

(Cherry blossom tree outside the Children's Center where I intern. I will get better shots as it blooms through spring. Cherry blossom trees are my favorite!)

Hi everyone!
I know you're all anxious to know how my day went yesterday, but right now I have to get three papers done by Wednesday and right after that I have finals the next week. I'm not quite sure how I'm going to juggle editing (935) photos and school this week, but I just have to. I'm so sorry if I end up neglecting you guys for a while...I'll make it up during Spring Break for sure!

I don't want to give too much away. All I can say is...I couldn't have asked for a better first, really. I wouldn't change a thing--not even the rain. The bride was so gorgeous, and the groom was so dashing. They truly look like celebrities and even romped around all over LA in a stretch hummer limo. Between the rain and time constraints, I did the best I could, and I absolutely can't wait to sort of "re-shoot" shots I didn't get to yesterday in a couple weeks after they get back from the Bahamas! It will be sunny, and everyone will just be more relaxed! I am bursting with ideas!

I really liked my outfit yesterday so I'll probably wear it out this week since I won't have time to think of outfits.

Congratulations to Stan and Monica! I hope you've escaped this pesky rain and are enjoying the warm sunshine in the Bahamas!

Their wedding song: A Song for You -- Elliot Yamin.

Until next post,
Jasmine

PS. I'll probably be writing one of my papers while watching the Academy Awards to night! Eek! I'm rooting for "UP!" all the way! It was my most favorite movie this year. Watching it again will probably be one of the first things I do when I'm in break. But realistically, I'm really hoping "The Hurt Locker" dominates instead of "Avatar."

PPS. Taylor deemed me as her blogger of the moment. Check out my feature on here.

Penny for Your Thoughts?

(via flickr)

Hello!
Regretfully, this isn't an outfit post. Regretfully--because I really liked my outfit today, but felt it was too similar to Friday's to be post-worthy (I am obsessed with my new jacket!). Now I realized I was just being silly because I'm sure we all go through honey-moon stages with our most recent purchases and wear it as much as possible without sacrificing (too much) hygiene. No worries, I'll wear it out again! Today was just one those days when my mind wasn't entirely present in reality. I was so forgetful that somehow Robert and I ended up shopping tonight instead of working on my paper that's due tomorrow--which brings me back to the purpose of this post...

(via flickr)

Since you're obviously reading a fashion-related blog now, I'm sure this topic has come up in many conversations between oneself and significant others, parents, and friends...

Addiction to Shopping: Fact or Myth?

I always associate addiction to drugs or alcohol or something...bad for a lack of a better word; but I guess all addictions must be "good" in whatever way to that person to be addicting. I like love to shop--there are just so many new and shiny possibilities just hanging there on racks for you to explore. Taking home said possibilities is exhilarating, but I must admit the exhilaration burns out quickly. These "rushes" need to be...reinforced quite frequently. So I guess it does look like I'm addicted to shopping, but it's kind of hard not to be.

(via flickr)

Shopping, for me, is a reward for working at such a crappy job, but I also admit that I could save more money, especially since I do need to invest in better camera equipment. It's so hard to find a balance between desires and realities, especially with something that seems so harmless like buying a cute top or skirt. Stalking fashion blogs daily and constantly being inspired doesn't really help suppress my want to shop either. I never had much self-control to begin with, which is probably why I've never been able to keep weight I've lost off. So when I got a job, it was so exciting because I could spend my money how I wanted to; and almost two years at the same job, it's still very much the same though I think in the beginning I was more careful with what I bought because I had just discovered how much work is put into just $8. Now, it's more like "Oh this is cute! I can make the money back easily in a weekend." It's weird because before I got a job, I took pride in that everything I bought was on sale and cheaper than $10 (remember my prom dress was only $9). Now I've accepted that $20 for a shirt isn't so bad. I'm not sure if this is a good or bad change in mentality...

(via flickr)

Just looking at all the unworn clothes in my closet staring at me each morning is kind of embarrassing, but the discovery of fashion blogs and my newfound interest in developing my own style over the past year have really changed my style. I always donate bags of clothes to Good Will at least twice a year, mostly to make room for new clothes. But I'm hoping now that I have a signature style, the clothes I do keep and the clothes I will buy will be worn regularly. I plan on cleaning out my closet during Spring Break, but I really do hope that I just won't have striped tops and cardigans left...but that's probably what will happen. I also hope that I get smarter with what I buy--buying only what I truly love and that is of good quality/could last a long time (ahem, less Forever 21). I also need to start investing in timeless pieces, like my first blazer and a pair of heels.

(via flickr)

So Robert has put me on a budget until I can control myself: $30 a month if I make at least $200 (I only work weekends) the previous month. The rest is going into savings/towards camera equipment. At first I was a little hesitant and angry to agree because I'm a free-spirit who hates being restricted, but after a while, I see that it really isn't so bad and it is sort of necessary. New Year's Resolutions seem so long ago now, but one of them was to spend less money on clothes and another was to lose weight. I really need to start working on those. Robert made a good point today--I really would have way more time to put into school, photography, and discover new hobbies if I shopped less. Style should be...effortless anyway, right? I think since I started a blog, I have put more pressure on myself to dress better, which might be why I don't post as often as I did in the beginning. I just need to work with what I have!

(via flickr)

Phew! This is getting long (I hope writing comes this easily when I get to my paper...), but I think I want to start doing a weekly discussion-post sort of thing for things that are on my mind. It won't always be this deep or long, but it'd be nice to hear your opinions :)

So...What do you think of being addicted to shopping--does it exist or not? When does it stop being just a hobby and start being an addiction?

I just thought this image was cool.
(via xanga)

Until next post,
Jasmine

PS. I didn't buy anything tonight. So that's a start? I think I'm going to wait until Spring Break to spend my $30 :)