Boyfriend's Choice Part Two

t-shirt - h&m / belt - f21 / skirt - cotton on / shoes - uo

Hello!
I started my new job last Wednesday, which is also the day Southern California decided to start getting true Summer weather. It's ridiculous how much darker I've gotten since I started working, but I'm not really complaining. I love being tan. I just hate the yucky tan lines. My new job is absolutely wonderful so far. I actually attended the same daycare when I was a kid, so it's pretty cool being able to pass along the same happy memories to the new generation. With the crazy heat and all the time I spend outdoors now, I don't want to wear anything but t-shirts and shorts to work. So until the heat subsides, I'll have to make due with dressing like a blogger before and/or after work.

Last Friday, I was having one of those "I hate everything in my closet" kind of days so Robert picked out my entire outfit again. He's getting pretty good at styling lately--it must be from all the shopping, blog talking, and photo-taking I put him through constantly. Speaking of Robert, Bestie asked me to guest blog for her while she's away on vacation. She asked us to write about our boyfriends behind the camera, so you can go check that out too!

Until next post,
Jasmine

Training Heels

headband and dress - f21 / belt - gap / shoes - swedish hasbeens x h&m

Hello!
It's getting pretty hard to bring myself to wear old things now that I have a few new things hanging in my closet. New things are always more appealing, but I am determined to save them for NYFW. Less than two weeks now! I'm pretty sure I'm done with shopping until then also since I know I'll be doing a fair amount of shopping while I'm there. Actually from the plans I've made so far, that really seems to be all that I am doing there since this time around I'm not there for any business. I'm totally fine with that though. I'm in desperate need of some girl time.

So while planning outfits for NYFW, these shoes came into play a bunch of times. They just seem to go with everything! I've never walked a whole day in these heels, or well in heels at all. If you've been reading my blog for a while, you'd know that I only just recently got my first pair of heels and now have a collection of three pairs. I'm definitely super awkward in them so I'm trying to practice as much as I can.

Have a wonderful weekend everyone!

Until next post,
Jasmine

All Tied Up

top - f21 / skirt - aa / sandals - h&m / bag - mbmj

Hello!
I wore this last week for an afternoon in Newport Beach with Robert. The weather here in Southern California has been so gorgeous lately--well, more gorgeous than usual. I'm really surprised and really thankful that we haven't had too many super hot days. Classes for me began yesterday and my new job begins today. I'm taking a few classes at a community college. It's definitely going to take some getting used to not being able to sleep in and not being able to do things so spontaneously, but I'm ready to be busy again. The incoming paychecks won't be too bad either. I've been doing quite a bit of shopping lately--not too much buying! I am really happy with the items I have been buying though. I've been looking for more blouses and structured pieces like jackets, and dresses/skirts without an elastic band. I want to take my closet up a level from casual, and start to look more put-together. It took me so long to realize that all I really had in my closet were t-shirts--striped t-shirts to be exact; but I am putting myself through t-shirts anonymous and admitting I have a problem. And yes it is ironic because I am wearing yet another striped tee in this post, but I'm just letting you all know that my style is going through a growth spurt right now.

Until next post,
Jasmine

Summer Photo Diary IV

Hello!
Last Wednesday, my friends and I raced against time to catch the sunset. We had to watch the sun set from my car but we were still able to salvage the fleeting bits of light once we finally got to the shoreline. It felt really good to be behind the camera again to shoot my favorite subject: the beach. No sunset is the same, and the same goes with beaches. As excited as I am when I go to NYC and as often as I get the wanderlust bug, Southern California is where my heart will always be. I could watch and listen to waves crashing forever.

Thanks for all your input on which dress to choose in my previous post. I'm still on the fence about it, but you'll just have to wait until NYFW to see which dress I end up choosing. Some mystery never hurt anybody right?

Until next post,
Jasmine

Reader's Choice

Hello!
While I was looking for possibilities for the next Dynamic Duo, I came across these dresses on ASOS. I've never bought anything from them before so I figured it's about time I find a new store since 98% of my clothes are from UO, F21, Gap, or H&M. Also, my search for a basic full black skirt seems to be futile; so when I buy one of these dresses, I'll be returning the top I got for H&M that I was planning to pair with said black skirt. Stupid of me to go back on my promise of only buying things that can be easily incorporated into the closet I already have.

Anyway, I've been debating between these two dresses for a few days now. I've asked one of my closest friends, Robert, and my brother. My brother and friend are for dress #2 (the one on the right); while Robert is for dress #1. There's also a third dress that keeps popping in and out of my consideration too. As you can see I'm really feeling the peter pan collar right now. My only reservation about these dresses is that they're sleeveless and even with all the weight I've lost, I'm still pretty self-conscious about my arms so I'll most likely be wearing a cardigan over them. Sleeved dresses are so hard to find. Why can't I just buy all three? Help me decide please? #firstworldproblems

Hope you all are having a wonderful weekend so far!

Until next post,
Jasmine

Sweet and Low

lace top and cami - f21 / belt and skirt - gap / sandals - h&m

Hello!
On Monday night, I had a random flow of outfit ideas. This just happened to be one of the outfits that was planned. Remixing old things in new ways is one of the most satisfying things ever, as is scoring these sandals for $5 at H&M over the weekend! Another result of that random flow of outfit ideas was that I think I have all my outfits for NYFW planned out actually. I only need to find a basic black skirt and to decide whether I'm going to bite the bullet and purchase Gap's red city flats. A basic black skirt is surprisingly proving hard to find.

I'm trying to really enjoy my last few days of freedom before work begins next week. Yesterday, my friends and I chased the sunset and raced against time (and lost as always). Today and tomorrow will be spent going up and down the coast. As I was taking in all saltwater air and the sound of the ocean last night, I was overwhelmed with how much I love/adore/cherish CA so much. I am resolved to spend as much time beside the ocean as possible these next coming days.

Until next post,
Jasmine

Lunch and a Movie

top - thrifted / skirt - h&m / belt - f21 / tote, sandals - cotton on

Hello!
I wore this last week when Robert and I went to the movies to watch "Crazy, Stupid, Love," which was really, really, really good! I've rediscovered this skirt in my closet while I was unpacking and putting things back into my closet. I bought it way back in November, and now that I've lost 25 lbs since then, it fits so much better and is actually really comfortable. I wore this skirt for my interview with a chiffon top that I'm saving to debut during NYFW. It kind of sucks planning outfits/shopping for NYFW because I have to wait to wear that planned outfit/new item. It's already so hard to think of new outfits daily, but I know if I don't plan for NYFW way ahead of time, I'm going to end up trying to pack my entire closet into my carry-on. Sadly, all the things I bought for the last trip have only been worn once or twice since then. But about a year later, with my newly-learned, newly-formed shopping habits, I'm only buying things I know I can wear after that weekend, so I'm currently hunting for blouses. I figured I have (way) more than enough t-shirts in my closet that it's time to have some nice sophisticated blouses to shine. I can't believe this trip only a few weeks away! I've been looking forward to this since I got back from the last NYFW. Sorry if it keeps coming up in future posts. I just can't contain my excitement!

Until next post,
Jasmine

Madewell Fall 2011

Hello!
Ever since I first walked into Madewell in NYC last September, I have been in love with this store. When they opened one at a local mall, I knew my bank account would be in trouble. I have been in this weird rut lately. I feel like I'm in between stages--not-a-girl-not-yet-a-woman-kind-of-stage. I want to dress my age, but I neither want to look too old nor too young. It's so tricky being 21. It finally hit me while I was looking for interview clothes just how many striped tees and t-shirts in general I really have. I'm finally able to say that I have too many. Yes, I am saying that there is such a thing as too many striped tees. I knew my style was always pretty casual and laid back, but I didn't realize just how casual it is/was. Madewell's Fall Lookbook is definitely the direction I'm hoping to take my closet and outfits. Thankfully, I'll soon be back at work again so I can actually afford to revamp my closet once the cash flow gets going again.

Until next post,
Jasmine

Mellow Yellow

hat, top, sandals - uo / skirt - h&m (via swap with chloe) / tote - cotton on

Hello!
I'm pretty sure this is my most summery outfit yet with all the yellow going on. This asymmetrical, crochet, holey cream top has definitely been the most worn item this Summer. I'm pretty sure I wore it at least once every week. It's the perfect top to go with any bottom, and it's super breezy and comfy for hot Summer days. Definitely one of my best impulse buys pre-unemployment! These sandals are making a come back after I super glued the straps back. The strap of one sandal snapped while I was walking through a closing door and my foot got caught in the door. Hopefully the super glue holds because I really do love these sandals and I am actually looking forward to wearing them with black tights in the Fall!

I'm pretty sad that my funemployed Summer is coming to an end, but I'm really looking forward to starting work in a few weeks. I was offered the position on Monday's interview! I'm ready to get the cash flowing again, but I hope I can continue to practice my cautious spending habits that I've picked up this season. I really don't need to buy new clothes frequently to upkeep this blog.

Until next post,
Jasmine

Summer Photo Diary III

Hello!
Last Wednesday, my friends and I went to the OC Fair. We ate plenty of fried foods to last us the rest of the month; saw a pig race; went on a couple rides; and watched my friend try to eat that jumbo funnel cake by himself. Typical fair activities.

Until next post,
Jasmine