Finding a New Path

outfit: top -- uo; skirt, hair pin -- h&m; belt -- charlotte russe; shoes -- aldo

Hello!
I took a break from taking outfit pictures this past week. It was mostly because I seemed to have consecutive "I have nothing to wear" days. I find that this usually happens after I've been shopping too much. I guess my clothes and I just need that adjustment time to get used to the new and used to the idea that no new striped kids will come in anytime soon. So this week I lived in old favorites, like this striped top and this flower hair pin. I've become obsessed with the color blush pink. You can't see it but I'm wearing it on my nails too. I wore this skirt twice this week. And I never wear skirts twice--probably because I have so many that I never really needed to. I almost didn't take any photos yesterday too, but I practically left the car running while Robert and I snapped these shots at a park along the way to lunch in record time of 5 minutes. I really need to come back to this place since it has a field that's just begging for some lace and/or a dress to frolic in. Next week probably.

If you follow me on Twitter, you probably already know that I'm hunting for a new job. My current job just has too much drama for my liking. I really just want to take this Summer off of teaching and just work retail, do some traveling, get to my goal weight, take some Summer classes, and finish my credential exams. Then in the Fall I'll be refreshed to start a new school year with hopefully a new group of students. I've applied to several places already so keep your fingers and toes crossed for me!

Hope you're having an amazing weekend so far!

Until next post,
Jasmine

Life's a Beach

outfit: top -- brandy melville; skirt -- j crew; hat -- thrifted; belt -- cotton on; sandals -- uo

Hello!
So as you can see...I indeed did make it to the beach during my spring break off of work. We took these photos on Friday (I'm so behind on posting!). This was such a lovely, relaxed way to end my time off before the weekend flew by with silly errands and family time. Robert picked up our lunch to go; I brought the blanket and we set off for Corona Del Mar Beach. It was the perfect day to go too: 75-degrees; not too crowded; and easy parking. Robert and I both agreed to have these picnic lunches at the beach more often and to bring books next time. With the beach so close to us, how could we not make use of it?

Last week during my week-long shopping spree, I found a store called Brandy Melville had opened up near me. I oggled at this store every time we went to Santa Monica/LA, but now it's more accessible and doesn't make me endure LA traffic to get to it! It's a store that totally screams me with lots of stripes and lots of florals, and is totally within my budget. The unique thing about them is that their store only carries one-size-fits-all clothes. It makes shopping so much easier. I know where I'm getting my next giveaway item now. This top is from that store. I wanted to try out one of their tops first before I invest my money (and soul) into the store. So far I like it, but it has yet to be tested by the washing machine and time. I really hate how most floral tops in stores are tanks, so finding floral printed t-shirts is like finding gold for me since I don't like to show my arms. Posting these photos almost a week later makes me miss the beach that much more. I'll always be a California girl.

Until next post,
Jasmine

Banana Cupcakes

outfit: top, skirt -- uo; belt -- topshop; shoes -- aldo; bow -- crafts store

Hello!
Robert and I took these photos at a church somewhere in Newport Beach after we got Sprinkles cupcakes last Thursday. We had to go there on a Thursday because they have banana flavored cupcakes on that day, and I love their banana cupcakes! I forced myself to break away from all my florals and wear stripes that day, so I pulled out this striped peter pan collar top and paired it with the Dynamic Duo skirt. Blue and yellow are always a good combo. Speaking of Dynamic Duo, Jen and I just ordered items for some Spring DD looks! I'm so excited for them to arrive and for us to be reunited side by side in a blog post (and in person in September during NYFW).

I'm so reluctant to be going back to work today. Last week was a very much needed week off, but vacations are never long enough are they? Besides, I think last week I spent practically an entire paycheck that I didn't get because of my time off. Back to the daily grind of life and back to my shopping ban I go, but I have school ending in less than a month to look forward to/to keep me busy.

How was your weekend?

Until next post,
Jasmine

Hate that I Love You

outfit: cardigan, belt -- gap; top -- madewell; shorts -- h&m; loafers -- aldo; bag -- lulu letty; hair pin -- diy

Hello!
So glad you all enjoyed my return to wearing shorts since you'll see me in them more often now. This pair from H&M are my favorite of the ones I've gotten recently. Robert hates them--he thinks they look like underwear. If underwear were made of a soft, chiffon, floral-printed material then no I wouldn't mind wearing underwear as outerwear at all. I wore these shorts the whole weekend. They're so comfy! I wish they were a bit longer because I don't think I'll be wearing them high-waisted anymore. I feel like I'm cheating on stripes with my recent new found love for everything floral and laced. I even tried to wear a typical-Jasmine-striped outfit yesterday, but I just couldn't. I wanted to wear these shorts and that's just what I did. It feels like I haven't worn stripes in about a month. I'm comfortable with stripes. I know all the ways to wear it, but florals, lace, and pastels are so new and exciting! I will attempt to rekindle my love for stripes soon though (I better when 1/3 of my tops are striped!). Maybe a trip to the beach will cure my Spring Fever by reawakening my inner sailor. I haven't been able to go yet since I procrastinated on assignments, but hopefully it'll happen before my spring break off of work ends. I really don't want this time off to end...!

Like my little animal friend hanging out in my hair? I was in the crafts store and found these felt, plushed animal stickers and thought they'd be so cute as hair pins. They came in a set of four with an elephant, giraffe, tiger, and toucan. Can't wait to take them on adventures with me! Have a wonderful weekend everyone!

PS. Yes, a woman did walk out of the elevator while I was taking photos in front of it. Always happens...!

Until next post,
Jasmine

Yellow Brick Wall

outfit: cardigan -- h&m; top, sandals -- uo; bow tie -- thrifted; bow -- crafts store; shorts -- f21; tote -- lulu letty

Hello!
I'll give you a few seconds to get over the shock of seeing me in shorts and my pale, bare legs...Alright moving on--This is what I wore yesterday on my second day off. Robert and I did some more shopping where I used all five of my coupons at Victoria's Secret so I can prolong time between laundry loads. New undergarments just make me a bit tingly inside, especially cute ones. We tried our luck at thrifting to no avail; got my boat shoes at 40% off and on special order; and ate some chocolate croissants.

I bought these shorts and sandals on Monday and couldn't wait to wear them. I love both of them and you should be warned that you'll be seeing lots of both, especially the sandals. I knew this year I didn't want to go for the gladiator sandals (I got some pretty weird tan lines on my feet last summer) so I'm really happy with these. I want them in every color, but mustard yellow is going to be so fun to style! Spring and everything it includes just makes me so giddy. I don't know if it's the spring fever talkin', but lately I've been wanting to ditch my MBMJ bag for a canvas tote bag. So I did it. I just think it compliments the casual, spring pastels I've been sporting lately. Besides, a tote bag holds so much more of my junk that it's functional too! Ever since I got this polka dot bow tie from the flea market, I wanted to wear it with my peter pan collar top. I've never mixed polka dots with florals before, but I am liking it!

Thank you all for your sweet comments on my last post! You all make me feel so good about myself and I love you all so much! I'm going to continue to be me and not worry about others. I'll visit your blogs after I finish these two icky papers. As you can see...I did not do them last night; instead, I gave my blog a make-over.

Until next post,
Jasmine

Easy Does It

outfit: cardigan -- gap; top, skirt -- h&m; belt -- charlotte russe; headband -- target; shoes -- aldo

Hello!
I've lost a few followers recently. This used to send me into a spiral of self-pity/-loathing/-questioning/-etc. It's hard not to take it personally when this is a personal style blog, but as I get more comfortable and confident with myself, I'm caring less and less. Losing a follower doesn't make my style any less good. I probably don't even know him/her so why should I care if he/she doesn't like my style. But sometimes I can't help but wonder why they unfollowed me. I think one of the things I need to work on is my variety. I do love my cardigan-top-skirt-flats-hair accessory combo, a little too much. I can't help it. It's just too easy, full-proof, and comfortable. I've been in this plateau for so long. I owe it to myself and to you loyal followers to grow as a blogger and challenge myself; and as I lose more weight (officially made it to the 15-pounds loss this Sunday. Woo!), I'm becoming more and more willing to try new things. I bought a few pair of shorts recently, which brings me one step closer to pants/jeans. My closet is slowly evolving into more a well-rounded one--less stripes; more florals and lace, like this pretty new cropped tank from H&M's Conscious Collection. I'm really horrible with change so dear readers, please bear with me as I work on trying new looks. I promise a look with shorts sometime this week.

Spring fever is still burning as strong as ever. H&M has become my new favorite store with their ample supply of soft pastels, delicate laces, and dainty florals. Robert hates this cropped lace tank, but I'm hopelessly in love with it. It's yet another and better option to wearing a plain white tee (always looking for those kinds of tops). Blush pink has also stolen my heart and if you know me--I am not a pink girl, but there's just something so sweet and not so girly about blush pink. This skirt was $10 so I couldn't help but get it in a mint green too. Can you believe I found this wooden, floral headband at Target in the dollar section? Just when I thought Target couldn't get any better, it does. Today was my first day of my spring break off of work. Robert and I just relaxed with some shopping (I picked up a pair of sandals and a pair of floral shorts); some snuggling; and lots of hand holding. We're hoping to make it to the beach sometime this week. I'm so looking forward to that!

Until next post,
Jasmine

Quiet Confidence

outfit: hat -- thrifted; cardigan and belt -- gap; top -- f21; skirt -- cotton on; shoes -- aldo

Hello!
Happy weekend everyone! I adored this outfit, even though (well more, like especially) because it wasn't planned. I had originally planned to wear a different skirt with it, but thankfully I took a look at myself in the mirror and realized that the skirt was much too sheer to be wearing dark underwear so I pulled this one on instead, but I think this looks better than Plan A! Happy accidents are always fun. Sorry for the overload of photos. There were just too many good ones. As you can see, I added a ribbon to the hat that I got at the flea market for $3. I probably stood in the ribbon aisle for a good half an hour trying to decide which ribbon to buy. I came home with four ribbons (they were on sale for buy one get one), but decided to go with this one since it just screams summer; and if I ever get sick of it, I can always use the other ribbons too.

Yesterday before work, I went shopping (they didn't have my boat shoes in my size either phooey) and found some pretty spring clothes at H&M. At work I got my paycheck (always a good thing) and I found out that I get all of next week off since all my students will be away during spring break so I get a spring break too! Robert said I looked like I was going on vacation in this outfit (I think it was the hat that threw him off). You can bet I'll be wearing my hat a whole lot during my time off. Eep! I'm so excited! Have a wonderful weekend everyone! Like my festive nails?

Until next post,
Jasmine