Alone, Not Lonely

To be alone and not feel lonely was an important lesson I learned this year. A friend told me a little while ago that if you're bored, you're boring. At first I didn't quite understand what it meant, but after some pondering, I realized that a person is only interesting as the things he/she does. You are what you do, and as long as I have my camera with me, I will never be bored or lonely. As much as I love it, last Wednesday afternoon during my Thanksgiving break, I didn't want to be bothered with setting up my tripod and manually focusing. I decided to take a leaf out of Jen's book and shoot snippets of my outfit and of a beautiful Fall afternoon at the lake. It might not always be at the lake, but I'm definitely going to try and do more of these quick shots so I can blog more often. I've been really drawn to the color orange this season. My mom tried to talk me out of buying this top since she wasn't a fan of the color, but I love it as well as the peter pan collar. It's also extremely comfortable. I've worn it several times to fieldwork already since I got it last month. 

Until next post,

Jasmine

top - marshalls

sunglasses - raybans 

necklaces - brandy melville

jeans - gap

shoes - american eagle

watch - nordstrom

eShakti Giveaway

I told you a giveaway was coming up soon didn't I? Well today, eShakti is offering two of my readers $25 giftcards! With eShakti, the possibilities are endless because they allow you to customize to your style and size.

To Enter the Giveaway, You Must:
Be a GFC follower, and tell me what item from eShakti you would get and how you would customize it to fit your style. Don't forget to leave your name and email address so I have a way of contacting you if you win!

Additional Entries (leave an extra comment for each):
1. Follow me on Twitter.
2. Tweet about this giveaway (@jazzyhwang)
3. Follow me on Instagram.

The last day to enter will be December 07, 2012. Good luck!

Until next post,
Jasmine

Made For Each Other

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend! This year, my parents cooked the best turkey and I baked my best pie yet. And even though I told myself I wouldn't shop this year, I somehow ended up at an outlet on Black Friday and came home with a new purse and wallet. On the drive home from shopping, I was rear-ended because the driver behind us fell asleep (probably from too much shopping). Thankfully, no one got hurt, and I was able to continue the weekend by meeting up with an old coworker. All in all, I'm so grateful that I got this six-day weekend to rest and recharge for the busy weeks to come.

I really wish I had more time to come to this hiking trail more often. It's always so tranquil as if it were untouched by humans. With a view overlooking a freeway and part of the city, it's a nice quick getaway from the bustle of life. Now that jeans have become my new best friend, I thought I was over dresses; but I'd like you to meet my new favorite dress. It fits like a glove and it has pockets! I feel like chambray and the color red were made for each other. I had been searching for a perfect chambray dress for the longest time, so I got really lucky when Jane from eShakti contacted me about doing a review of a product and I spied the Chambray Retro Frock. I love what eShakti stands for--which is customizable style. Each product is made to order and you are able to customize it to your style and to your size. The possibilities are endless and I got to feel like a designer for a little while I was customizing my own dress. Since I will probably wear it most during Spring and Summer, I chose to keep it sleeveless, but I wanted the hem to be shorter. I also loved that it only took a little over a week to be made and shipped to my door. The best part about all of this is that I also get to host a giveaway that has two winners so be on the look out for that tomorrow! 

Until next post,

Jasmine

cardigan -gap

belt - charlotte russe

shoes - j. crew

dress - c/o eshakti

Thankful

After a morning full of baking and cooking, I finally have some down time to reflect on the past year. I feel like what I'm about to say should come at the end of the year, but who says being sentimental and reflective is only reserved for the New Year's Eve? So much has changed this past year. Looking back to last Thanksgiving, I was stressed out about grad school applications. I didn't even write about what I was thankful for last year. But now, I'm in grad school and just loving every moment of life. I have so much to be thankful for. I really do.

I'm thankful for my family, and especially for the fact that this year, I actually mean it with my whole heart. I'm thankful for my friends--old and new--who have been there for me and give my life so much joy and meaning. I'm thankful for the beach because it never ceases to amaze me and remind me that what falls must rise again. I'm thankful for tea because it's delicious and keeps me awake during class. I'm thankful for my students and for my mentor teacher because everyday I spend with them just reaffirms that teaching is what I want to do with my life. I'm thankful that the weather is still beautiful and perfect here in California. I'm thankful for Robert, even though we're not even friends anymore, because he showed me that I am loveable and that I'm capable of love. I'm thankful for shopping, for music, for french fries, for Disney movies, for Netflix, for skinny jeans, for hair straighteners, for Starbucks, for my queen sized bed, for cameras, and for car cassette adapters because they just make life better. And last but not least, I'm thankful for blogging and all my readers because I wouldn't have had all the opportunities and friends I do without this wonderful corner of the internet of mine.

I wish you all the happiest of Thanksgivings! May you all feel the need to unbutton your pants or loosen your belts after today.

Until next post,
Jasmine

Against the Current

I have taking self-shots down to a science now. I actually rather enjoy getting that time to myself to focus on something other than school and fieldwork even if I probably look crazy to people passing by. I hope during Thanksgiving break I'll be able to get in a few shoots in and in different locations other than my local park. I took these near the railroad tracks over the weekend. I really need to start wearing these boots more often. I find myself stomping the ground a little harder while I walk when I wear them. This Fall season I've been really enjoying wearing scarves. They're just so cozy! I used to not be a fan of infinity scarves, but this one doesn't sit awkwardly on me and it helped that it was only $9 at Nordstroms. With these boots and a scarf, I definitely look and feel more Fall.

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend! I spent all weekend watching The Walking Dead even though my plan was to get all the work that's due after Thanksgiving finished, but sometimes, you just need a bed-couch weekend to watch a show about a zombie apocalypse. I just need to get through one class today and my six-day Thanksgiving break begins!

Until next post,

Jasmine

cardigan - h&m

t-shirt - stylemint

scarf - nordstroms

belt - h&m

skirt - urban outfitters

shoes - topshop

Nothing Left to Lose

This is definitely one of my favorite outfits in a long while. I wore this outfit over the weekend and wore it again to class this week. Jeans have become my best friend this year. It's kind of funny to think back to when I started blogging when I didn't even own a pair of jeans, but just this past weekend alone, I bought three pairs--including this pair. Jen actually has the same pair! Now I definitely wear pants more than skirts and dresses combined. I don't know why I was so resistant towards them. I think they're more flattering and they're definitely more comfortable. If you had told me this time last year that I would be wearing colored denim, or that I'd be single and enjoying it, or that polka dots would dominate my closet, or that I don't wear a t-shirt everyday, I would've laughed at you and called you crazy. It's kinda crazy how much can change in a year, in a month or week even. I would like to think that I'm dressing more my age now, especially since my 23rd birthday is creeping up in a few weeks.

And last but not least, the winner of the $100 Shopbop giftcard giveaway is Denise Kunkle! Congratulations! If you didn't win, don't worry I'll be hosting another giveaway very soon since I hit 500 followers a little while ago! I just need to find something fit for the occasion. With Thanksgiving coming up, I can't help but feel even more thankful for each of my readers.

Until next post,
Jasmine

jacket - thrifted

t-shirt - gap

jeans - gap

shoes - aldo

watch - nordstroms

DD: Different Falls

Since Jen and I are supposed to be strict budgets, we decided to restyle an old Dynamic Duo item--this mustard yellow skirt. Up until this weekend, I've done pretty well with the not shopping plan. Shopping this past weekend was a little too successful, but I know I needed everything I bought because I don't feel the least bit guilty over how much I spent.

I took these photos a few weeks ago when it was still warm enough to get away with going sleeveless and barelegged. Now it's one or the other, or neither some days. I'm such a wimp when it comes to the cold. Anything below 70-degrees suddenly makes me want to bundle up in cozy sweaters and scarves like Jen's outfit. I think it's a little strange that it's practically half-way through November and I haven't worn tights for more than a few minutes this Fall, but I'm not complaining because I thrive off of sunshine. I did buy two pairs of tights over the weekend because I think this Fall weather is finally here to stay. I'm currently on the hunt for the perfect, not-too-oversized-but-still-oversized, soft-but-not-itchy, sweater.

Until next post,
Jasmine

my outfit:

top - nordstrom's

cardigan - gap

skirt - urban outfitters

shoes - aldo

belt - topshop

bracelet - etsy

jen's outfit:
sweater - topshop
skirt - urban outfitters
scarf - american apparel
shoes - c/o blowfish

Everything Has Changed

I know I've had a rough week when the last post to be published here was my Halloween outfit. When I've had two cups of coffee too many. I drink tea religiously and only resort to drink coffee when I really need it. And I needed it twice this week. When I've let my friends see me in glasses. And when I've worn sweatpants outside of the house, and not to the gym. This week definitely kicked my butt, and I'm so relieved it's over and that a long weekend is ahead of me. And with a Lakers win and a quick Skype session with Jen last night, this weekend is looking to be an amazing one already.

Monday was a pretty rough day for me. I could hardly concentrate in my first class, and then in between classes that day, I got an email from my dad telling me that my grandpa on my mom's side passed away earlier yesterday morning. He's the last of my grandparents, and now they're all gone. While I can't say that I'll miss them, I think what's saddest is that I never got to really know any of them. All my extended family is on the East Coast or is/was in Asia so honestly, I'm not close with any of my aunts, uncles, or cousins. That's sad too. The funny thing about death is that it makes you want to live. Hearing my mom talk about her dad and the hard life he persevered through, and without complaint, makes me realize just how much I do have and how much more grateful I should be. Up until recently, my family and I never saw eye to eye on a lot of things. We still don't, but I think we're getting better at communicating. I never liked holidays because it forced us to spend time together, but I'm hoping that this year things will be different because well, they already are.

As a person who's normally resistant to change, I think I've embraced everything that's happened this year better than usual. And I think it's because for once, I actually wanted things to change. Going from being in a five-year relationship, to being in between friends and couple, to now being nothing to each other has been a hard, awkward, but absolutely necessary transition over the past year. I remembered being so terrified of being single and alone, and I think I even used that as a reason to stay in a failing relationship longer than I probably should have. In reality, it's not that scary or lonely at all. Sure it's a little awkward at times, but it's mostly liberating and new. I feel like a completely new person. While sometimes a memory will come into consciousness, or a wave of nostalgia will wash over me, or a pang of missing him will just hit me, I'm truly happy. Everything has changed, and I'm more than okay with it.

I will be back with a blog post on Tuesday! Have a wonderful weekend!

Until next post,
Jasmine

Skin as White as Snow

My halloween costume this year was last minute and it cost me nothing! I found everything in my closet. Thankfully everyone got that I was Snow White this year, unlike last year when I was the Yellow Power Ranger. In between our classes yesterday we had a Halloween Potluck and it was just really fun to hang out, relax, and eat good food with friends. I was inspired by Maggie when she told me her Halloween plans on Friday night during a really awesome Skype session. She was also Snow White this year, and she too pulled things from her closet to make her costume.

I haven't done a real outfit post in over a week now. Life has just been that busy! I implemented my first lesson this past Monday, and while I was disappointed that it didn't go amazingly or how I imagined it in my head, I'm so glad to have gotten it out of the way because now I can only get better! I've been also working with small groups of students this week and it's just one of the best feelings when they understand, learn, and take away what you wanted them to. Assignments have been piled a mile high as well. Even though I am so busy, I'm really loving life right now! I definitely have the most amazing friends in the world.

It's now the last few days to enter the Shopbop giveaway so get your entries in!

Until next post,
Jasmine

t-shirt - j crew

skirt - urban outfitters

belt - h&m

shoes - marais usa

bow - katilyn

necklace - foreign exchange