Bump in the Road

Hi everyone!
Sorry for the absence; I've been feeling a little lost lately. I'm constantly tired and dissatisfied, and consequently constantly in a horrible mood. Robert's been a trooper putting up with all my demands and my mood swings. I don't even wanna know how worse off I'd be without him. My emotions have been like a pendulum--swinging back and forth between two extremes. It's exhausting. All I've been wanting to do is get lost in reality TV and movies so I don't have to face this mundane and stressful life I have. My life is so boring compared to some of the other bloggers; and while yes, this blog is supposed to be an escape from that mundane and stressful life, we can only escape so much...Ugh, I don't really know what I'm talking about...Onto my outfit!

(wearing: everything is from urban outfitters; except the oxford flats which are from payless)

My red bag is alive and well! Last week, my wayfers broke so of course as a California-girl, I needed to replace them immediately! When I got to Urban Outfitters, I was torn between the pair I had before and these pair, so...eventually I got both. I rather like these pair: they're like a mix of a pair of wayfers and a pair of aviators with the unframed metal bottom. I think sunglasses just add an instant cool to any outfit, so I never leave the house without them.

I also bought my first peter-pan collared top! I've been waiting for this top to go on sale and finally my patience paid off! Every time I see an outfit with a peter-pan collar, I go nuts! Don't you just wish they made detachable peter-pan collars so you can add them to any top? I'm pretty sure this will be the first of many to come...

Oh! And do you like the new layout? I did it during one of my insomniac, moody nights. If only I could be this productive on other nights..hopefully I will in the next few days since I have two midterms next week. I can't believe this is the last day of April. Summer is so close I can taste it!

Hope everyone is doing well!

Until next post,
Jasmine

Songs I've been digging:
1. Alive -- Leona Lewis
2. A Beautiful Day -- India Arie
3. Breakeven -- The Script
4. Airplanes -- B.O.B ft. Hayley Williams and Eminem
5. Won't Even Start -- David Choi

PS. Jen gave me the heads up that Hautelook is having a sale on American Apparel things right now! Everything is pretty much under $20! Eek! Go, go, go!!!

Dynamic Duo: Chapter Two

Hello!
A few weeks ago, Jen approached me to do another Dynamic Duo post. She had won this necklace from a giveaway but when she received it, she was stumped on how to style it. When she told me about this necklace, I admit I was a little scared because I mean if Jen had trouble styling it how the heck was I supposed to? But I was also pretty excited for the challenge because I usually don't break out of my comfort zone. For the record, no, we did not plan to pose so similarly, and last time we did not plan to be so color coordinated. We don't send each other photos until after we've already styled them. I told ya we were long-lost sistas!



When her package (filled with goodies! thanks again Jen!) did arrive a few days ago, I understood why Jen found it difficult to style. I got nothing against pearls; they're just not very me. I too was stumped and it hung on my wall for a day or two, haunting me. My initial reaction was to take off the pearls and the big beads, and just make the ribbon and the heart locket into a little pin, but that would've been too easy and not really part of the challenge. I then remembered that trend of necklaces with chains and ribbons so I tied a random ribbon around it, making it longer and easier to incorporate into daily outfits. I quite like it now that it's longer because I don't have much of a neck so I can't pull off short necklaces. I don't know what's up with me changing the accessory again, but if I find the next piece for Dynamic Duo: Chapter Three, I'm definitely sending her the original first before I probably go about changing that one too.

(wearing: black t-shirt--gap; blue skirt--urban outfitters; necklace--courtesy of jen; black oxford flats--chictopia rewards; pink bow--h&m)

While trying different looks with this necklace, I of course tried to pair it with every striped top/nautical thing I owned, but it didn't work out as well for me as it did for Jen. I absolutely love her nautical outfit! I saw a similar dress at Target the other day and now wish I had gotten it. It's the perfect dress for summer! And I just realized that our photo-locations this time around have swapped. Last time, I was next to a tree and she was in front of a grayish-wall; and now we're swapped. Again, not planned!





I know you're all probably sick of hearing my excuses for not posting, and quite frankly, I'm out of excuses. School and life have just been kicking my butt lately. It's been raining these past few days so I'm back to wearing boring layers again. So nothing really new to update you on!

Stay tuned for Dynamic Duo: Chapter 3!

Until next post,
Jasmine

PS. Is anyone else excited for the Project Runway season finale tonight?! I'm rootin' for Seth Aaron!

Stop and Stare

This is why I love California.

As much as I loved all the hustle and bustle in New York, I don't think I could ever give up the tranquility I feel when I smell the salty air and watch the sun set as waves rise and crash. It's sort of...comforting knowing that even something as mighty as the ocean has to fall at some point.

Until next post,
Jasmine

The Sweet Escape

Hello!
Even though the days have gotten longer, days are whizzing by for me! I can't wait for summer! Even though I don't really have anything special planned, the idea of summer is just so enticing and exciting! I will definitely miss having summer breaks when I get my first full-time job!





I've been on a purse craze for the past month! This is my newest addition and I absolutely love it! The leather is incredibly soft and the color is just so perfect for spring! I can't believe I scored it off of UO's website for only $19.99! Remember how I said I was frantically searching for a leather backpack? Well I found one of those too, and bought it! So...I think I'm going to give bags a break. Normally I only buy one or two bags a year, 2010 is only 4 months in and I've already bought three! My search for a cute vintage small messenger bag will have to stop for a long while, but I'm sure I'll appreciate the functionality of all my recent purchases since they're all large enough to carry my laptop around! I have such an addictive personality that when I find something I love I tend to hoard it until I'm sick of it (thank goodness I haven't been sick of stripes or bows yet otherwise I would have nothing to wear!). It's horrible, and I really must break that habit.

(wearing: lace tank top--forever 21; floral skirt--zara; teal bag--urban outfitters; green bow--h&m; black oxford flats--courtesy of chictopia rewards)

Tieka and I have been catching up via email, so because she's so infamous for her pretty florals, I had a major urge to wear this skirt. I don't think I can get any more spring with my outfits than this one! I am still obsessed with this skirt, and since I'm not allowed to shop until June, you'll probably get sick of it over the next few months! I was going to wear my teal oxfords today, but I think it would've been too matchy so I opted for my oxford flats instead! I haven't worn this bow in a long time. It's actually the first one I ever bought, which set off a tidal wave of bow-collecting.



Robert and I watched "Date Night" this afternoon, and it was HILARIOUS! It's such a cute date movie! Tina Fey and Steve Carrell should be a couple in real life--they're so perfect together! I probably burned off the popcorn with all the laughing I did!

I hope everyone has an amazing weekend! It's supposed to rain here on Sunday, but I hope the clear skies prevail because the weather is so perfect now! This weekend I have work and I have about 100 photos to edit because the couple finally chose the photos they wanted to be printed. Once I get those sent out to them, I'll do a post on it!

I love you all and I couldn't be happier about blogging now! I've met so many amazing people through this!

Until next post,
Jasmine

Even the Stars Hideaway

Hello!
I am so overwhelmed and touched by all the support and loyalty you all gave me on my decision to move my blog towards a different direction! Thank you! Here's to ch-ch-ch-changes!

It rained randomly yesterday, but the sun was shining magnificently today! Yet, I'm still in tights. I'm just not ready for bare legs yet...Ugh, why do transitions between seasons have to be so awkward? Especially the shift from Winter to Spring! You can bet I'll be in tights until the heat is unbearable. I think one reason why I don't want to shed my tights is because I don't have any cute strappy sandals yet. Usually I'm in sandals all year long here in Southern California, but with the discovery of oxfords in the Fall...I've neglected buying sandals.







These were taken in the Medical section of my university. This hill had such a glorious view, and it was secluded...or so I thought. While I was searching for something to prop my camera on so I can take outfit photos, I found a table next to a window. Since it was after 6pm, I thought no one was in that classroom anymore, but...there was an entire classroom! Thank goodness Robert called me shortly after to tell me he was off class, so he came and took my photos for me (away from the window...). Phew! They must've been entertained watching a girl prouncing in a royal blue skirt taking photos of a lonely red chair.

(wearing: blue striped top--h&m; green bow accessory--forever 21; blue skirt and saddle oxfords--urban outfitters)

Remember my red bag that I took with me to New York, but the strap broke while I was there? I took it to a leather repair store, and I'm so anxious to get it back on Thursday. As much as I adore my black chain purse...I just feel a cross-body bag would complete so many of my outfits, and it's a lot bigger for me to carry around all my school things. So I ordered another one online and it was shipped today (last bag I'm going to buy for a while...hopefully!)! I just feel the cross-body strap sort of just holds everything in place...Does that make any sense? Oy...I really should invest in some belts.

What can I say? I'm more of a bag-girl--other accessories are just ignored. But I did some thinking today and I think I'm good on bags now (though I am frantically searching for a leather backpack), actual shoes, striped tops (except for a red one), and bows. I think I just need to invest in some new bottoms like a pair of relaxed trousers, more skirts, and a pair of high-waisted shorts. I didn't realize how many tops I have until while shopping, I spotted this top I really liked and was about to try it on, and then I realized I already had it! Eek! Not a good sign...!

Well back to pretending to read my textbooks I go! I hope everyone's week is going well so far!

Until next post,
Jasmine

♬ Currently listening to: Without You Here -- Goo Goo Dolls ♪

Wherever the Wind Takes Us

Robert and I have already agreed to replace an hour at the gym with a long walk. We are also doing a "date-night" sort-of-thing where once a week we go to a nicer restaurant. This week we had Ruby's, and it was so delicious! I've been craving their Kobe Beef Sliders ever since we had it on Monday! Even though I see him close to everyday, I still feel distant from him at times since we're both stressed out with school. So I think this just allows us to relax and be together.

I don't know what it is about power lines that just enamor me. I've been in this same city for the past 15 years. I've seen it go from rural to urban; from being filled with strawberry fields and orange trees to being filled with sky-scraping apartment complexes and office buildings. As much as this city has tried to put these power lines underground, I'm glad they haven't. The lines remind us of our insignificance, of our vulnerability, of our industrial past.

I snapped these yesterday after my lame apology post. Robert did get some outfit shots of me, but my outfit didn't go with the scenery. I'm way better behind the camera than in front of it. I guess you can get a gist of my outfit though. I am loving my Zara skirt and almost bought the other color yesterday since my size was available, but didn't because I thought I'd find something better at the H&M Garden Collection. I didn't. This is also one of my new rings that I got over Spring Break! I've been searching for a snake ring for a while, and I found this at Target of all places!

When I read that Diane of Darling Darling moved to a new blog that wasn't as focused on fashion, and was focused more on her experiments with film and just random things she loves, I have been juggling the idea of moving my blog into more of that direction. I just hate that nagging feeling in the morning to dress blog-worthy, and then later feelings of frustration to find time to document these blog-worthy outfits, or guilt that my outfit that day is not blog-worthy. I don't do well under pressure, so I think I'm just going to relieve some of it by diluting the fashion aspect with other things like photography and my discussion posts. I might lose some followers over this, but I gotta do what makes me happy. This change could be tentative. I've realized that I can't control or plan everything. I really just got to go with the flow.

What do you guys think of this "plan?"

Until next post,
Jasmine

Spring Giveaway Winner and Apologies

The winner of the Spring Giveaway is...

Jess, from Lack of Creativity!

Thank you to all who entered! I'll have another giveaway soon! Maybe when I reach 150 followers or when summer rolls around, which ever comes first :)

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(via tumblr)

I also want to apologize for another random absence! My final full quarter at this university has begun and it is more hectic than ever, especially on Tuesdays and Thursdays. I don't know why I signed up for 4 back-to-back classes, an hour and a half each. I think the prospects of having three days of no classes were too tempting to pass up, but like my parents always say: nothing is free in life, and my days off are no exception. Mondays and Wednesdays are spent at the Children's Center where I'm continuing my internship; and Fridays will probably be spent running errands or picking up an extra shift at work. I just don't know when I'll have time to blog. Hopefully I start getting into a routine and a time slot will open up. Thank goodness the sun doesn't set until around 7pm! Robert and I already have some photo shoot ideas in mind, but I just haven't come up with the right outfit for those settings...

I'm still on the search for that extra-special-thing I need in my closet, but it's still eluding me. I'm thinking it'll come around when I least expect it, so for now I think I'm just going to focus on school and on graduating, and of course blogging! I've had this nagging feeling to take outfit photos lately, and that's the last thing I want from this blog--for it to become a chore, because if anything, it is my escape from all my other responsibilities. It shouldn't become one of them!

(via tumblr)

I've just been craving a really...good, simple, relaxing day with Robert. I wish we could grab breakfast together, then take a long stroll on the beach nibbling on ice-cream cones with a basket and a blanket in hand. We would walk and find a deserted cave or hill and spread out the blanket and eat a delicious lunch. After lunch, we would spend the afternoon shopping and watching a movie. Our amazing day would finish with dinner at one of our favorite places. As much as I love material things, I am a simple girl at heart who just wants to take walks with the person she loves. We were supposed to have a day like this during break, but Spring Break turned out to be pretty hectic and not-so-relaxing.

(via flickr)

I'll get back into the swing of things and post soon!

Until next post,
Jasmine