My Bedroom

Here are some snippets of my bedroom. You might remember that my family did an entire house renovation last year. Each room is now a different color and we got rid of all the carpet. Interior design is just another interest of mine so it was really fun picking paint colors and decorating my room. The only real splurge was my desk. Originally I had wanted to find a huge vintage world map to put over my bed, but since I have a queen sized bed, finding one that was big enough and also cheap was too hard, so I went with the cherry blossom tree. I remember when I lived in Maryland when I was 4, my family and I would visit D.C. when cherry blossoms were in bloom so cherry blossoms have a special place in my heart. I still have to put a sailboat wheel that I thrifted at a flea market last year above my desk, but other than that, I really love my room. We've been making memories in the same house for over 17 years now so this room has seen and known a lot. With my hectic schedule this year, my room is definitely more of a sanctuary than it has ever been. 

Until next post,
Jasmine

Shopbop Giveaway

Shopbop is offering one lucky readers one $100 gift card! I'm so excited to host this giveaway since I know I've been a pretty lousy blogger lately, so here's my way of thanking you for sticking around. With Winter quickly approaching for the rest of the country (today it's going to be 90-degrees here in SoCal!), they have the latest designer jackets from 3.1 Phillip Lim, DSQUARED2, and Current/Elliot to keep you cozy and looking cute!

To Enter the Giveaway:
Be a GFC follower of my blog, and tell me a favorite Fall childhood memory. Don't forget to leave your name and email so I have a way of reaching you if you win!

Additional Entries (leave one extra comment for each): 
1. Follow me on Twitter.
2. Subscribe to Shopbop's Blog.
3. Tweet about this giveaway (@jazzyhwang).

The last day to enter will be November 5, 2012. Good luck!

Until next post,
Jasmine

Through Thick and Thin

 

I want to look back on my blog and be able to remember happy moments that happened rather than just what I wore over the years, so here are some pictures from my quick weekend getaway to LA with two of my oldest and closets friends, Marilyn and Andrea. It was Marilyn's 23rd birthday which means we've now been friends for over a decade! The three of us have known each other since middle school! I'm so grateful that despite both of them moving to LA to go to USC, we're still good friends and stay in touch. Like I said in my last post, right now I'm just really trying to focus on things and people that make me happy--and these two girls surely do just that. Through thick and thin, these girls have been there and I'm just so lucky to have them in my life.

Over the weekend, Andrea and I left Orange County and went to Taste of Soul with another old and good friend. At first Taste of Soul was a bit overwhelming and a bit of a culture shock, but it was just really great to be immersed in such a contagiously fun and upbeat culture with hearty comfort food. After Taste of Soul, Andrea and I met up with Marilyn and her boyfriend. The four of us then headed out to the 626 Asian Night Market and got more delicious food and boba. Marilyn, Andrea, and I all walked away with new scarves which we then wore the next day (and in these pictures) after a night of talking and catching up. On Sunday, the three of us grabbed lunch at Green Street and then ice cream at Carmela's. The Earl Grey Ice Cream is life-changing!

I can't wait for more adventures with these girls!

Until next post,
Jasmine

Now is the Start

I've worn this outfit twice since I got my new favorite dress. It's so comfortable and the color just screams Fall. The weather is starting to feel more like Fall, and I'm starting to feel more like myself. A Friday night bonfire and a weekend away with good friends were just what I needed. It was good timing too because assignments are starting to pile up. I'm implementing my first lesson next week in the classroom where I'm student teaching. To say that I'm nervous would be an understatement. Sometimes I get pangs of anxiety when I think about having to take over the classroom in January, and then about having my own classroom next Fall. Of course, I'm excited too, but I'm mostly just nervous and scared. For once, I'm more afraid of failure than I am of success. I think it's because this is actually something I care about and have been working towards. Anyone can teach, but not everyone can be a good teacher. If it doesn't work out, I really don't know what I'd do. For once, I don't have a back up plan either. I don't have a foot out the door. I'm all in, and it's scary. But because I'm all in, I can't fail--at least that's what I keep telling myself anyway. I feel like I'm starting to move on and am more focused than ever on things and people that make me happy. I have to remind myself sometimes that I'm only 22 and life is really just beginning. And I must say life is going pretty swell right now.

Until next post,
Jasmine

dress - cotton on

cardigan - gap

belt - topshop

watch - nordstrom

arrow bracelet  - number a

anchor bracelet- etsy

shoes - aldo

Be Still My Heart

Last Friday I finally went to the beach and caught a sunset with some people in my program. We cooked hot dogs over the fire, made s'mores, and played Taboo. As soon as I caught a glimpse of the ocean as we drove along Pacific Coast Highway, I could feel my stress and cares roll away. I will definitely need to schedule in more trips to the beach if I am to remain sane through out this program. It's starting to actually feel like Fall around these parts so hopefully I can start wearing cozy sweaters and scarves consistently.

Until next post,
Jasmine

Built to Break

You know it's been a long week when you've worn the dress and cardigan combo twice so far. It's just the easiest outfit to put together when there's no time to be frustrated with your closet.

My days have been really long lately. I haven't caught a sunset in a while. By the time, I'm able to catch a break, it's dark outside again. For me, that's a little weird. Not only because I love sunsets that much, but I just think I need to see the sky go from light to dark to simulate my mind going from hectic to calm at night. I've been plagued with sleepless nights and early mornings. Things have just been out of sync lately and I just haven't been feeling like myself. I got a little teary-eyed when a song about not giving up came on the radio on the drive home. I'm definitely looking forward to going to the beach on Friday and then spending the weekend in LA with two of my closest friends. I just have to make it to 4PM tomorrow.

Here's to the weekend!

Until next post,
Jasmine

dress - h&m

cardigan - h&m

belt - h&m

watch - nordstrom

ring - jewelmint

bracelet - etsy

shoes - aldo

Simplicity

Who's the winner in a war that you're raging against yourself?

I feel like I've been in a constant state of conflict lately: I want to be independent, but I don't want to be alone. I'm still holding on to the past, but I'm also moving forward to a better future. I know I have (more than) enough, but I always want more. I'm overwhelmed, but underwhelmed at the same time with my schoolwork. I am most definitely my worst enemy and my biggest fan. I know I have the power to change my life, but I feel so helpless too. I've been such a Debbie Downer lately, and I hate that because I actually like who I am and my life...most of the time. Normally it doesn't take a lot to make me happy. I don't know when I got so greedy or so angry either. This week was just another weird week, and I have a feeling that it'll be like this for a while. Things are changing, and for once, I'm not trying to fight it.  If only life were as simple as the accessories I've been wearing everyday. This anchor bracelet has just been a reminder to strive for stability and simplicity. I'm going to work on thinking more positively this week.

Until next post,

Jasmine

watch - nordstrom

ring - jewelmint

bracelet - etsy

Leave the Pieces

Whoa. Unintentional break from blogging just happened. Last week was just one of those weeks when you started yearning for the weekend 5 minutes into your first class on Monday morning. From having a ghost from the past come back to haunt me, to losing my favorite bracelet, to running late almost everyday, last week definitely kicked me in the butt. I was so thankful that in between the craziness, I was able to hang out with new and old friends. They definitely have been there for me and I love them all! I've met really awesome people in my grad program, and I'm still so lucky to have close friends who I've grown up with me and know me in my past and in my present.

I've been doing a little more shopping than I probably should lately, but I just can't stop with the polka dots. It's definitely on its way to overthrow the stripe dominance in my closet. The last three tops I've bought--all polka dotted, and all from the sale section at Nordstrom, including this one. I really love the scalloped trim around the neckline, and of course the polka dots. This outfit has been my uniform as of late: colored denim, a polka dotted top, cardigan, flats, and this awesome square ring. It's such an easy and comfortable outfit, but I still feel put together at the same time. It's a new goal of mine to get better at accessorizing. This ring is the one ring that doesn't annoy me after a while. I can actually wear it through out the day. Now that it's starting to get a little chilly (aka below 75-degrees), I'm excited to pull on cozy sweaters, tights, and scarves. I have all these outfits in mind, but it's tough having to take pictures on my own. What used to be 5 minute shoots before lunch has turned into a 30 minute ordeal. I just can't keep up with myself. Strangely enough, blogging not so frequently has been liberating. I dress for me, and if I just happen to have time to take pictures, I do. If I don't, at least I know that I liked what I wore that day. And that's how it should be.

Until next post,
Jasmine

cardigan - gap

top - nordstrom

jeans - gap

jewelry - jewelmint

shoes - aldo