Nothing Left to Lose

Hello!
Today Robert and I both had a full day off and it felt so nice to spend it together at Newport Beach. I honestly could spend everyday walking along the beach with him. It's so simple, but it's one of my favorite activities to do with him. Can you all tell how much I love the beach yet? I want to get married on it and I want to live on it. Robert says that once you've seen one beach, you've seen them all; but they're all different to me. I love the beach in the winter too because it's more deserted and thus more tranquil. I hope we make these beach trips a monthly thing. Next summer, I really want to rent beach cruisers and do some biking.

This is the dress I wore during my trip to Las Vegas. I actually brought this belt along to wear it that weekend, but it was too hot for accessories. Today at a lovely 77-degrees was the perfect weather to wear such an outfit. I can't get over how comfortable it is and how such a cute dress could be found at Victoria's Secret! I think this dress would be fun to wear in the Fall/Winter with some really fun colored tights too. That's why I love florals--it's just so easy to mix and match different colors with them. I really hope I can gather a few more floral pieces before they disappear.

I can't believe summer is coming to an end so quickly. I think my recent obsession with florals is my attempt to hold onto summer. How can pretty florals not perk up your day when you're cold? I'm also really trying to branch out of my usual stripes and nautical looks. I asked Robert what he'd describe my style today and he said "plain and cute." I think he hit it right on the nail, though I think I would've preferred if he used simple instead of plain just because it has a better connotation. How would you describe my style?

For lunch today, we got Del Taco and decided to bring our drink to the beach. When setting our stuff down before taking photos, I said it'd be really funny if a seagull came and took our drink. And what do ya know...it actually happened! Robert even caught me in mid-reaction! People from the pier were laughing along with us at how ridiculous it was. I'm pretty sure they tried to get the Cheez-its from my bag too. Stupid birds...

I hope everyone is having a lovely week so far! Almost a week left until NYC! Wee!

Until next post,
Jasmine

outfit: dress -- victoria secret; bow belt -- vintage/etsy; grey cardigan -- gap

Timeless Treasures Giveaway Winner

The winner of the Timeless Treasures Giveaway is...

Haven!

Congratulations! I'll be emailing you shortly for your mailing details. Thank you everyone for entering the giveaway. If you didn't win, don't fret, you can still get your hands on these darling hair pins at Luci's shop. I think she's starting her second collection soon so watch out for that! I'm pretty sure it'll be even better than the first! I'm planning another giveaway soon since I'm nearing 200 followers (yay!) so stay tuned for that!

Until next post,
Jasmine

Fall and NYFW Inspiration

sources:
| streetstyle: rasa zukauskaite -- stockholm streetstyle || high waisted shorts and blazers -- trop rouge || frizzy hair -- the velvet bird || swim break -- pug sister || celebration day -- mess your hair up || pink lady -- the 4 hundred beats || 20th street grocery -- fancy fine || street style 0204: men's pants, military coat, & brogues -- golestaneh street style || untitled -- haydenelizabeth || heart of the house -- off of broadway || miu the swallow -- lula and the frock |

Phew! Haven't done one of these in a looooong time! As I'm entering another Fall and Winter season here on this blog, I can't help but remember my obsession with shorts and tights last year. It's kinda crazy how much my style has changed yet stayed the same over the past year. From the looks of it, this year, I'll try to keep up with my girly Spring and Summer looks with a plethora of skirts, dresses, and fun colored tights (I need a red pair!). Add a two-toned pair of flats, a leather brown messenger bag, and a navy blazer or cardigan to the ever-growing list of needs/wants. I think this year will be the reign of dresses in my closet; last year was stripes and bows. Do you all remember last year when I said I hated dresses? Now I'm completely enamored with them. They are just so easy, almost too easy. Maybe if I say that I hate fruits and vegetables, I'll learn to love them over this next year...

After a relatively cool summer, I'm kinda dreading yet looking forward to a cooler than normal Fall and Winter here in Southern California. I'm already feeling the need to bring a pair of tights to slip into when I bike home from my night class. Bring on the hot chocolate!

Until next post,
Jasmine

The Ghost of a Good Thing

Hello!
Back to my old photo spot. Even though the heat has cooled down a bit, I didn't feel like searching for a photo location on my own. Besides, it's good to go back to your roots once in a while. I didn't do too much today. I painted a portion of each room with the paint samples we got, resulting in my legs looking like a Jackson Pollack painting and then my dad insisting that I use paint thinner directly on my legs to get the paint off before stepping back into the house. It stung a bit, but it made my legs incredibly smooth so I don't mind the subtle smell of petroleum.

I said in a few posts ago that I've been craving florals and I haven't been able to find any! I want dresses just as easy to throw on as this but in 5 other colors! I guess stores are getting ready for Fall. This is problematic because there really are no seasons to my outfits. During Fall and Winter, I just add tights, beanies, and a jacket; and during Spring and Summer, I take off the tights and throw on cardigans. I'm not really a F/W person, but I think this year I will try to be one. What's life if you're only enjoying half of every year?

Until next post,
Jasmine

PS. Have you entered the Timeless Treasures giveaway?

outfit: floral dress and headband -- f21; bow belt -- h&m; oxford flats -- aldo

Mad World

Hello!
I haven't worn this top in months. The last time I wore it I was in New York in February at a Chictopia photo shoot. After daring to wear such a casual outfit to such an important event, I condemned this t-shirt to neglect. I am happy to have revived this shirt though in a less important setting. This is how I should have shown up to that photo shoot, but it's useless to dwell in the past. This time around will be better (Can you believe that it's only two weeks away?!). The anchor print is too cute to pass up. The guy at Starbucks said it made him think of Popeye and then he went on to do an amusing Popeye imitation.

I have survived my first week at my new school, and I think the rest of the semester will go much smoother. Yesterday, I had a 10am t0 10pm day with work and school, and it was exhausting. I've been biking to class everyday this week. There's this ginormous hill that I'm determined to hurdle one day, but for now I'll just walk my bike up and then enjoy the ride down. I don't understand why some classes start on different days, like two of my classes don't start until October and another doesn't begin until September. Not that I'm complaining though...For now I just have to deal with two classes that have weekly assignments, and I can enjoy a pseudo-summer until my new job and classes begins.

Annie's recent post on why she doesn't shop where she doesn't really got me thinking about the backgrounds of all the places I shop. After my last closet cleanse leading to donating a large amount of F21 items, I hardly shop at F21 anymore with the exception of a few accessories and basics here and there. I'm not really sure whether a company's background should affect whether I consume its products or not. For example, when I heard about H&M burning clothes rather than donating them, I was shocked and disturbed but that didn't really stop me from buying things from there (I think my bow belts from there are the best purchases ever made in a long while). Should I have boycotted their products? Same goes for American Apparel, whose CEO is infamous for his sex scandals; and yet knowing of these scandals, I still lust over and have recently purchased some of their over-priced basics. As much as I would love to thrift all my clothes for economic and environmental reasons, it's not practical where I live because there aren't many thrift stores around and frankly, I just don't have the patience or the time to do so. I think the closest to thrifting I'll ever get is Marshall's and I hardly ever go there. So without thrifting, I need to get clothes from somewhere right? It just happens that these stores that have these scandalous backgrounds are so easily accessible to me. I'm at a stage where I don't really know where to shop anymore. Where are you supposed to shop when you're entering the workforce?!?! What are your thoughts on these scandalous companies? I really need to get around to doing another discussion post...

I hope everyone has a wonderful Friday and weekend. I think Robert and I are going to make another trip to Santa Monica again this weekend, but I really have to stop shopping for "NYC." I already have enough clothes for that weekend. I don't need anymore. You hear that Jasmine? You don't need anymore clothes for that weekend! I'm getting caught up with all the pressure of looking great that weekend that my excitement is deflating a little day by day. It's kinda like how brides don't get to really enjoy their weddings because they worry so much before and during the whole thing. That happened to me last time (and my outfits weren't even all that impressive). My mind is constantly running a million miles per hour trying to think of different outfits with all my new goodies. I really need to remember to just be myself and enjoy the ride!

Until next post,
Jasmine

PS. Have you entered the Timeless Treasures Giveaway yet?!

outfit: anchor t-shirt, red belt, green sandals -- uo; chambray skirt -- j crew; red bow -- etsy

Beginning Again

Hello!
School has just begun and I'm already feeling a bit overwhelmed! There's so much to do already and I have to work a little faster so I can enjoy my weekend in New York in a few weeks. I'm definitely liking community college better than a "real" university though. The teachers seem so much more passionate about their subject and not so much geared towards their research. It was a community college psychology class that I took way back in high school that made me want to become a Psychology major in the first place. Now three years and a practically useless degree later, I'm back at the same community college looking for another road sign for my life.

Speaking of careers and things of that sort, I have a new job! I landed the preschool teaching assistant position; though I think it's more of a teaching position because I get to make lesson plans and teach the kids things! I'm so nervous but at the same time am super excited! Ever since my internship ended, I have missed having kids in my life. They just brighten my day! I start in a few weeks. I'm going to stick with my current job for a while just to make sure this new job is stable. I'll be working at the preschool Monday-Friday and at the movie theater on Saturdays and Sundays, all the while juggling five classes. I'll be rich(er), but I won't even have the time to enjoy it.

Robert and I took these pictures at a Castle park, which is true to its name. It literally is a park shaped like a castle. A few months ago, Robert and I came to this park and laid in one of the castle's rooms and just gazed at the stars. I'm pretty sure we'll come back to this spot for future photos when it's not so hot. There are so many photo opportunities in this one place!

Bad habits are truly hard to break. I've been in a style rut for days now and can't seem to get out of the closet-full-of-nothing mindset. It doesn't help that I have a suitcase pretty much packed and ready to go with my recent purchases. I like stripes because they're safe, but I'm starting to not like them for the same reason. I've been craving floral prints lately but for some reason can't find many in stores.

While working out at the gym today, I was on the elliptical and watching the Food network (so counterproductive...), where they were showing you how to make crepes. So naturally, Robert and I gained all the calories we burned by devouring this crepe. I think Nutella is one of the best things in the world! Yum!

I hope everyone who's in school right now is having a smooth first week!

Until next post,
Jasmine

PS. Don't forget to enter the Timeless Treasures Giveaway for your chance to win a flower pin of your own!

outfit: striped top -- gap; blue skirt and red belt -- uo; blue bag -- f21; flower pin -- c/o of timeless treasures; oxford flats -- aldo

Timeless Treasures Giveaway

Giveaway closed!

Hello!
You may recall that a month ago, I met up with Luci of Camera Shutters / Yumsforapples. During our meet-up she told me that she was starting a small business in which she would sell these darling hand-made hair pins. Well the time has come and her shop, Timeless Treasures, is officially open for business! Since she just opened it, her stock is currently limited, but with time, she'll have more available.

Floral head pieces were huge this summer, but now you can bring Spring and Summer into your Fall/Winter wardrobe with these delicate flowers! Each pin is so intricately made, yet the construction is solid. At first, I couldn't decide which one to keep for myself, but I settled on the Sweet Sunshine one because it reminded me of my favorite flower--the sunflower, and because I have yet to find a yellow bow. So now you have the chance to win the Elegance pin! Read on to see how to enter.

Requirements to Enter the Giveaway:
1. Leave your name and your email address.
2. Be a follower of my blog.
3. Check out her shop and tell me your favorite item.
4. Tell me your must-have Fall item this year.
5. Open to US and Canada residents only.

Bonus entries (leave a separate comment for each):
1. Be a follower of Luci's blog.
2. Become of a fan on Chictopia.

The giveaway will end on...August 31st at Midnight PST. The winner will be chosen via a random number generator. Good luck to you all!

Until next post,
Jasmine

The Only Exception

Hello!
Robert had to volunteer at a hospital near LA today, so I tagged along. I went to the nearby library and read the September issue of In Style. I am really loving the Fall trends this year! After he got off, we made our way to Santa Monica for my last hoorah for the summer. We did some shopping and ate really good food. What more could I ask for? I got the final piece for my NYC outfits so I'm all set for that weekend! We planned on driving back along the Pacific Coast Highway and enjoy the scenic route, but somehow ended up back on the normal freeway and stuck in traffic for way too long on our way home.

Today I was supposed to have a staff meeting at work. I thought it was at 8:30 pm, but it was at 8:30 am. Oops! It was totally worth whatever trouble I'm going to get into though. I really hope I get the preschool job. I'm meeting with my best friend's mom (the owner of the school) tomorrow to go over things, so cross your fingers and toes for me! I'm so nervous and anxious. If I don't get it, I'm doomed to at least another four months in this hell-hole of a job.

This morning I woke up late again so this outfit isn't so great. This skirt was on top of my skirt drawer; I picked out a tee that I haven't paired with it yet; and then picked out a random belt. I forgot to grab a bow on my way out. Luckily, I carry around some bobby pins and this little bow pin in my purse just in case this happens. I had my hair trimmed yesterday because it was getting a little too thick for my liking. I like my shorter bangs though. I'm still debating whether I want to grow my hair out a little longer or cut a few more inches off back to my a-line bob. Help?

I hope everyone is having a great weekend so far! Why does the weekend have to be only two days?! I have a giveaway in the works so look out for that soon!

Until next post,
Jasmine

outfit: grey v-neck tee and blue satchel purse -- f21; floral skirt -- zara; belt -- uo; oxford flats -- aldo; bow -- claire's