Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Remember to Breathe

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Hello!
Thank you to everyone who gave me tips quick, easy, and healthy snacks and meals! I just went grocery shopping and am stocked up on snacks like trail mix, apples, rice cakes, and ritz crackers. I also bought a bag of salad and some Lean Cuisine frozen pizzas for those days when I am really running late. I tried to wake up early this morning but ended up sleeping in until noon, but thankfully my mom cooked last night so I just popped the leftovers into the microwave, stuffed my face, and rushed out the door. My insides are already starting to feel better.

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I'm starting to get really discouraged at my new job. I mean there are moments when they have showed how much they've changed that make me feel so satisfied; but those moments are so rare that I don't know if they're really worth all this stress and frustration. At the same time, I don't want to give up on them or myself. It's all I can think about lately, even on my time off. I think I'm going to ask for some time off from my other job so I can relax and come up with a game plan as to how to better handle these kids, and to finally decorate my classroom!

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The sky today was so gorgeous through out the day. It made this heat wave (and life) a little more bearable. My retail therapy is starting to bring me a little stress too. Nothing in the stores really appeal to me, but it sucks because I want new things (this sounds horrible...). I need to find more dresses to wear to work. Yesterday, I almost spent $60 on striped t-shirts from Gap's website since they're having a good sale. I'm going to Gap tomorrow to see if I can avoid paying shipping. I did walk away with a new bow belt tonight though, so I can't wait to debut that! I'm giving myself the rest of this week to get the shopping out of my system. After, I am going to focus on school and work.

I hope you all are having a wonderful week so far! It's almost Friday!

Until next post,
Jasmine

outfit: striped top and bow headband -- f21; skirt -- j crew; belt -- uo; flats -- aldo

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Fight the Bad Feeling

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Hello!
I'm still chugging along trying to balance two jobs, school, and a boyfriend. It's not easy and I don't think I'm coping well, if at all. I think the first change I need to make is to stop living off of fast food. I'm feeling and looking disgusting, or it could be this ridiculous heat wave Southern California is experiencing (yesterday was over 110 degrees). I just don't have the time anymore to cook. I always seem to be running late, so drive thrus have become my best friend lately. Can some of you suggest quick, healthy meals?

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I stupidly left my camera at home so I had to go home to grab it after work. By the time I met up with Robert, the sun had already set so we quickly took these in my community's park. I really think I need to start becoming a morning person and wake up early so I can get outfit photos done and healthy meals cooked before noon. Or I could just sleep when I'm dead. A few nights ago, I couldn't sleep so I started watching Charmed and now I'm hooked. I prefer to watch shows after the series is over because I'm so impatient with waiting a whole week before watching a new episode--except for reality TV shows like Project Runway and America's Next Top Model. I live for reality TV.

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Today, I was having one of those nothing-to-wear days and almost went to work in shorts and a t-shirt. I'm really not sure whether I like this outfit or not. I hope this heat wave dies down soon because I'm missing my cardigans and tights. With all this stress, I'm definitely needing some retail therapy. Online shopping to the rescue? I don't even know what I'm looking for. I just want something new.

Until next post,
Jasmine

outfit: pink top/dress -- cotton on; green skirt -- aa; belt -- topshop; flats -- aldo; bow -- f21

Sunday, September 26, 2010

Over My Head

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Hello!
As a part time preschool teacher, part time movie theater concessionist, and full-time student/girlfriend/sister, I honestly don't know how I'm blogging so steadily at the moment. But a la my blog name, this is definitely my temporary escape from the insanity that is my life right now. I'm currently working 6-7 days a week, going to class twice a week, and trying to squeeze in an hour or two with Robert when I can. It's been really hard on me since I'm not used to being so constantly busy, but at the same time it's nice to be occupied (and richer) because I hate being restless and bored. I think I'm a little too occupied though...

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I think in order to keep my blog up and running, it looks like I'll have to do more of these dumpster/back alley photo shoots. We took these right before dinner on Thursday. Robert and I only see each other for a few hours in the morning and meals. With the light fleeting when I get off work, I decided that the dumpster would be our photo location of the day and called it "urban." Robert laughed, but started taking photos anyway. A perk is that no one was there to judge us, but I was afraid an employee was going to take out the trash and find me posing. How awkward would that be? I'm really dreading the time change when the sun begins setting at 5pm.

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I've had this dress for a while now, like since March. I don't really know why it took me so long to wear it, but I like it (duh, it's striped!). It might be the colors--navy and red, which are my Fall colors. Every time I went to wear it during the summer, I thought it was a bit too...dark for sweet, carefree days. Now that it's Fall though, I see no reason not to wear it! It also works great as a skirt so I can't wait to try that out. My current mindset about outfits is to remix, remix, and remix! A few days ago, I realized yet again just how much clothes I really do have. But with working 6-7 days a week now, I don't think I'll have to worry about shopping too much anymore. I am on the hunt for a maroon cardigan for the season though.

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This is my new "Shifty" Marc by Marc Jacobs bag and my new cardigan/jacket. I'm not really sure what to call it, but whatever it is, I love it. It's so soft and comfortable, and it was on sale at Gap! It's definitely a bit more professional looking than all my cardigans. I have been finding the best things at Gap lately; I think I've made that transition from F21 to more "adult" stores like Gap and J. Crew. While my clothes are now more expensive, it's good to know that they are of better quality and will last longer. I feel like my style won't change too much for a long while, if ever, so it's best to invest in quality pieces. I'm pretty sure I'm going to be passing along this Madewell pin to my future daughter. I love my new bag. It's smaller than my recent bag purchases; but it's simple, and I know I can use it when I'm older. When it comes to handbags, especially designer ones, I want to get designs that are simpler and classic rather than trendy. The cross-body strap just suits my lifestyle so well right now. I don't think this bag photographs well, but just know that I'm enjoying it and my mom is enjoying her cream version.

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I hope everyone had a great weekend!

Until next post,
Jasmine

outfit: jacket -- gap; dress -- zara; belt and shoes -- topshop; tights -- f21; red bow -- etsy; bow pin -- madewell; purse -- marc by marc jacobs

Saturday, September 25, 2010

Dynamic Duo V-Log



Hello!
Jen and I also managed to squeeze in a vlog during my stay on the East Coast. Sorry the quality isn't the greatest. We felt too self-conscious to do a vlog on the train with Jen's HD camera so we did it in the comfort of her apartment with my Macbook. It's a good thing we did with all our burping and weird noises. You can actually see parts of our slumber party in her living room on my last night there. We dragged out Jen's mattress and I slept on the couch. Next time our Dynamic Duo activity won't be so rushed, so hopefully this is the first vlog of many! So enjoy!

Mentioned bloggers: Jenny, Starr, and Tieka.

Until next post,
Jasmine

Friday, September 24, 2010

Dynamic Duo: Better Together

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Hello!
That's right! Jen and I managed to squeeze in a Dynamic Duo post during the craziness of NYFW! We took these right after we woke up Sunday morning and before we hopped on the train to the Chictopia Conference. It was so much more fun doing the whole awkward process of setting up the tripod, nervously checking for people passing by, and posing when no one was looking together. It was a rainy Sunday morning, so no one was really there. We took these photos on Jen's university campus. I wish it weren't raining so we could've had more choices of locations, but it was and we were rushing to catch the 10:00 train. I still love how they turned out.

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I'm retarded and got my D flipped backwards, but if Jen and I ever open up our own Dynamic Duo Donut shop, our logo would be this a la the famous Chanel logo. For my new readers, Jen and I started Dynamic Duo way back in February when she won my first giveaway. We were inspired by the Delightful Dozen to do a little collaboration of our own where we style the same item and post them together. That collaboration has turned into an amazing friendship that I wouldn't trade for anything in the world. I miss her a lot and I'm already counting the days until we'll be reunited.

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We've had these bow skirts for so long now! We've had them so long that we saw them go on sale for half the original price we paid for. I think we got them in the beginning of summer with our F21 floral dresses. I don't really know why it took us so long to get to these skirts since they are adorable, but I'm actually really glad we did because they are a bit on the shorter side, and now I can wear it during Fall and Winter with tights. I love the print, of course, and I can't wait to remix it! It even has pockets!

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I was actually going to wear a navy top with this skirt but after I saw Jen slipping on a navy top, I opted for this lace tank, which I thankfully brought as a back up shirt in my suitcase. I actually brought this top with me last time I went to NYC, but it was way too cold for tank tops in the snow (what was I thinking?!). I think this just might be my favorite Dynamic Duo post just because we were together for this one! We're definitely better together.

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I hope everyone has an amazing weekend!

Until next post,
Jasmine

outfit: bow skirt -- uo; lace tank and tights -- f21; cardigan -- gap; bow belt -- h&m; red bow -- etsy; flats -- topshop

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Passenger Seat

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Hello!
Happy first day of Fall! I took these photos last Friday so this is the last of my summer outfits, though it looks like I've already successfully transitioned into Fall since I haven't left the house without tights on since I got back from New York. I really have no idea what this season will bring, but I'm excited for it! To me, Fall is more like a new year because it's the start of a new school year. I'm such a nerd for thinking like that huh?

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I had a crazy weekend. My brother moved out and into his dorm on Sunday morning, so Saturday, my family spent the day together. We went to the mall for lunch and some shopping. I bought myself a skirt that was on sale at Gap. I've already worn it twice so you'll see it really soon. The Saks Fifth Avenue in that mall also happened to be closing so everything is on sale for 30-50% off. My mom wanted to show me a wallet, but I didn't like the ones she picked out so naturally my eyes wandered to the handbags section. I saw a gorgeous Marc by Marc Jacobs bag and instantly fell in love. I was torn between black and cream, but eventually decided on the black since it's timeless and it wouldn't get dirty as easily or quickly. You'll see the bag soon too.

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On Sunday morning, we made the morning trek to my brother's university which is about an hour away with no traffic. We helped him settle in and met his roommate. His roommate's mother thought I was the younger sibling (still in high school) and was shocked when I told her that I just gradated from college. I was a little annoyed the rest of the day that I don't look my age and even contemplated to stop wearing bows because I'm pretty sure they only add to the appearance of my youth. We then grabbed lunch and said our goodbyes. I guess my mom was feeling a bit empty afterwards, because somehow we ended up back at the same mall and somehow left with the cream version of the Marc by Marc Jacobs bag (and I found my winter cardigan on sale at Gap too). Later that night, my brother calls to say that he's sick and about to throw up. So I made the drive up to bring him medicine and a few things he forgot to pack; however, when I got there, he was totally fine. By the time I got home after midnight, I was exhausted from all the driving I did (over 200 miles...).

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I know this outfit is so similar to the one I wore in New York, but who says we can't repeat ideas? I know we all do, but for some reason, we are all afraid to repeat similar or even the same outfits on our blogs. I think I'm going to start doing it though just because it's definitely more realistic and it won't stress me out as much. I have enough on my plate as it is anyway, as I'm sure we all do. That outfit even landed me on the front page of Chictopia, so why fix what isn't broken?

Until next post,
Jasmine

outfit: striped top -- gap; green skirt -- aa; brown belt-- topshop; tights -- f21; bow -- h&m; shoes -- aldo

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

NYFW Conclusions / Panel 4 Continuation

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So with all my NYFW posts completed, I thought I’d just conclude with my general thoughts on the whole weekend, and to use it as an excuse to post more photos (ie. from the Juicy Couture After Party and a second trip to SoHo)! It truly was the best weekend of my life. I’m still on a high from it all. During my first trip to NYC, I was awkward, shy, totally unconfident, and miserably cold from the snow. I hid behind Robert the whole time, but this time I was completely the opposite and on my own: I approached people; people approached me. It was actually kind of weird having people approach me…It’s definitely something I don’t think I’ll ever get used to.

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I had amazing conversations with just about everyone who would talk or listen to me. I feel like I walked away with 10 new best friends after the trip. I love how easily it was to talk to people this time around. Starr, Tieka, Jen and I talked about blogging and certain issues like commenting back, the importance of a good blog layout, making themes for posts, and so many other things that I can’t remember during the after party like it was the most natural thing in the world! Jen, Jenny, and I hung out like we've done it our whole lives. Home is now a little different after this experience. It’s been weird adjusting not having these bloggers so accessible and near to me, even if they were only accessible for a short weekend. It’s hard not to miss them now that I’ve met and befriended them. Knowing that some of them are across the country and that I have to wait another year to meet them again just make it even more of a torture. In a sense, I feel even more lonely than I did before because now I'm surrounded by people who don't really get me and so far away from people who do.

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I’m so much more confident about who I am now. To be honest, sometimes I didn’t wear the outfits that I posted out, mostly out of fear of being misjudged; but now I don't bother to bring a change of clothes. I've said this before, but many of my friends and family have never seen me in a high-waisted skirt! And to continue with this honesty...before this trip to NYC, I was pretty exhausted of blogging—I just didn’t see the point of it. But now I know that it’s not about having the biggest number of followers, or having the best photos, or having the most sponsors, or having the newest clothes, etc; it’s about meeting people with similar interests and building friendships. I’m so glad I started a blog, even if it was out of sheer boredom. I am so eternally grateful for having the second chance to meet these amazing girls since the first time didn't go too well.

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Whether I win another trip or not, I’m planning on making a trip to NYFW a yearly thing, and I really hope we have these reunions even when we’re grandmas! Talking to and hanging out with these girls was seriously the best part of the trip, not attending the fashion shows or roaming the city during Fashion’s Night Out. I even opted out of a VIP dinner to get some more time in with Jen and Jenny. All the bloggers are so down to earth and sweet! I truly miss them all. Just by having them as my friends, I would consider this blog a success. Before, I was way too obsessed with the numbers and producing new content with new clothes. But at the end of the day, they're just numbers and clothes, these friendships are priceless. I am so glad that I decided to stay true to myself with my outfits in NYC, because everyone else did too. I think I’m starting to accept and even like my style too.

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I can’t believe I fulfilled a dream of attending fashion shows during NYFW. It was such a surreal experience watching models walk down a runway and seeing the clothes up close during presentations. I also can't believe I was invited to speak at such an important conference and with the top dogs in the industry! I was definitely a ball of nerves before my panel, which was the last one, so I don't think I enjoyed the conference as much as I should have, but everyone was so encouraging before and after my panel. Starr even came up to me seconds before my panel began and told me that I looked beautiful and that I'll do great; that was seriously one of the sweetest things anyone has ever done for me. And it was just what I needed. It was also insanely surreal that Chantal of Cocorosa hung out with Jen, Jenny, and I and gave us photo tips, and for her to tell me that she reads my blog and was her favorite speaker.

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I didn't get to say too much during the conference, mainly because Dino-Ray of the SF Chronicle stole the show with this humor, and because I just didn't know when to chime in since I didn't want to interrupt anyone. So I guess I'll just wrap up this post with the gist of what I wanted to say but didn't get a chance to...

Social media has definitely given the fashion industry the tool to include more people. The fashion industry is so stereotypically exclusive that it's amazing how many opportunities have opened up for us "normal" people. Case in point: I'm neither tall nor skinny and yet I was still given the chance to go to fashion shows and speak at a fashion conference. Social media itself doesn't make the industry exclusive, the people do. We really have to stop with all this competition/jealousy between each other, whether it's subconscious or not. We're a community, and we should be working together to make it stronger and better for future generations because I'd like to think we're the pioneers of fashion blogging. I definitely don't want to see this as just a temporary media fad. While I do think there is an exclusive circle that creates all the trends (ie. designers), we are the ones who actually make the trends a trend; because what's a trend without followers and execution?

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I think the stem of our competition and jealousy among ourselves is the start of sponsorships, which include money and free things. I think this has been a really smart move on businesses to include "real" girls in their ads because they are so much more relatable, and it's a more affordable way to reach more people. And who doesn't love free stuff? It just worries me that I haven't seen a whole lot of "bad" reviews on items: is it because people are afraid of jeopardizing their relationships with their sponsors? Probably, but they shouldn't be. Reviews should be objective, honest, and strictly business. I agree it is important to maintain good relationships with businesses, but as with all relationships, honesty is the best policy. I also think it's important to consider the possibility that businesses may be reaping more benefits than the bloggers are in these relationships. Therefore, these relationships also need to be fair.

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While fashion does affect everyone, whether they acknowledge it or not, I agree with Dino's comment on that we can afford a little exclusivity. It's kind of nice being a part of something that most people are not. I don't know about you, but I don't tell many people about my blog. It's my secret life, and I love that it is. It has helped me develop my personal style dramatically, and I have met so many amazing people through it! Everyone had such unique and loveable personalities, which is why the entire conference stressed the importance of being yourself on your own blog. You can be inspired by others, but take that inspiration and make it your own instead of imitating it. I'd like to think that I have done that. Fashion has come to the cyclical, bidirectional point where it's rare that an idea is truly original, but that doesn't mean we can't try! But don't try too hard...just be you!

As Connie said in her Goodbye EIU post, "Be you and be unapologetic."

Thank you to Chictopia for this opportunity, and to Jen for letting me stay at your place, for taking most of my photos, and just for being the amazing, sweet, smart, funny, and gorgeous person you are!

Until next post,
Jasmine

Sunday, September 19, 2010

Dusk and Summer

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Hello!
Let's take a mini-break from NYFW posts, shall we? It feels weird to have posts backed up for once. I still have five more posts to work on and publish. Anyway, these photos are barely edited, if at all. I'm so in love with how they turned out! Robert really has become quite good at this. It's going to be so sad when he returns to school and I'll have to resume taking my own photos (get ready for backyard photo shoots!). I get off at work around 6pm and with the sun setting at around 7pm nowadays, I'm always rushing us to get to a location. Robert was taking the local way to avoid traffic on the freeways, and I was kinda stressing that we wouldn't make it in time. But we made it at the perfect time! I love the lighting in these photos! I really do need to stop stressing out about everything before I give myself a heart attack...because almost always, things work themselves out.

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We took these photos on the top level of a parking structure on Thursday. It's kind of liberating shooting photos there and not really caring about the background so much; though I did get lucky that a ferris wheel is behind me in some of the photos. Ever since Jen used her 50mm lens through out the entire trip, I've been more keen to use mine. I disliked it before because there's no range and you have to stand so far away to get in the whole frame, but it really does take some amazing photos and it's relatively cheap (under $100). I'm currently saving up for a 35mm so that it's not so zoomed in, and a new camera. My current camera (Canon Rebel XT) is no comparison for Jen's new one (Canon T2i).

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I wore this to work on Thursday and am so relieved that it actually works for work. For a little while, I thought I would have to buy a whole new wardrobe, but I think I'm just going to continue wearing my dresses and skirts. I do need to find a blazer though. I bought this red striped top a long time ago and remembered it when I was in the mood for wearing red today. I can't believe how very much I'm still in love with this skirt! I think I've been wearing it at least once a week since I got it and it doesn't look like it's going anywhere. This belt doesn't look like it's going anywhere either. It just goes with everything! Speaking of work, it has gotten a lot better since my first day. Thank you to everyone for the encouragement!

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I really can't believe Summer is coming to an end. I haven't even given it a proper farewell yet and I'm already living in tights and starting to organize my scarf and hat drawers. I think this year I'm actually excited for Fall now that I discovered the amazingness of tights last year.

Until next post,
Jasmine

outfit: striped top -- zara; chambray skirt -- j crew; belt and shoes -- topshop; tights -- f21