Life is a Mountain, Not a Beach

I felt like such a hipster in this outfit, and I kinda liked it. I thought I knew my style, but ever since I became single, I can feel it changing it all over again as I'm rediscovering myself. I never thought I'd embrace the more grungey look, but lately, I've been gravitating towards all things dark and studded and slouchy. My Fall/Winter goal this year was to find a slouchy beanie and I finally found it on Wednesday! You should probably get used to seeing it in future posts too. I already warned you about the boots.

Between catching up with friends and enjoying my time off school and fieldwork, I haven't found the time to sit down properly to construct a reflection post about this past year. As much as I would like to do just that, I'm also just ready to say goodbye to 2012 and have a fresh start on Tuesday. All I can really say about 2012...what a year! It was so unpredictable, pivotal, and for a lack of a better word, just crazy--but all in the best possible way. With all the changes that came my way, it definitely tested me, but I think I came out of it a stronger and better person. I couldn't have found a better shirt to symbolize this past year: "Life is a mountain not a beach," and at least for now, I feel like I'm standing on the top of that mountain and with the best friends at my side.  Bring it on 2013. I'm so ready for you.

If I don't get to posting before the new year begins, I want to wish you all a fun and safe new years!

Until next post,
Jasmine

cardigan - gap

t-shirt - stylemint

jeans - gap

boots - topshop

rings - brandy melville and madison bleu

necklace - brandy melville

beanie - irene's story

It's Time to Begin

I can't stop with the jeans, sweaters, and scarves! They're just too cozy and easy together. It feels good to have this jacket and these boots reunited in an outfit. It just wouldn't be winter without these two. My friend, Andrea, bought me this scarf for Christmas. If you've followed my blog for a while, you'd know that I don't wear much black, but I think I'm going to have to start because this scarf just seems to go with everything! Horses also have a special place in my heart because in the Chinese zodiac, my dad is the year of the horse. Another thing to start doing: boots with jeans--why didn't I try this before? I'm pretty sure I'm going to be in outfits like this all Winter long. I wore this outfit to catch up with some old friends over board games and card games. Having everyone home for the holidays has to be the best part of the season. I thought that because this would be the first Christmas I'd spend single in 5 years, it would be a lonely one. Instead, I have never felt so loved and happy. With a Laker win yesterday, home-cooked meals, and quality time with loved ones, it was an amazing Christmas. I don't really know where I'll end up next year so I'm really trying to cherish all the moments we have as a family. The second best thing about the holidays? Empty elementary schools with pretty brick walls to use as a backdrop for blog pictures.

Until next post,
Jasmine

jacket - gap

sweater - h&m

scarf - nordstrom

jeans -gap

boots - topshop

rings - brandy melville and madison bleu

Merriest Place on Earth

I wasn't kidding when I told you I lived in this cardigan because I do, and I'm absolutely not sorry that I'm wearing it again so soon. It was perfect for a day at Disneyland with one of my oldest and closest friends, Andrea. We both got our passes together on Sunday, but had our first full day there on Wednesday. Throughout the day, we met up with friends who also have annual passes and came for a few hours of fun. Together, we were able to ride all the big rides and a lot of the small rides in between. It was so nostalgic being back at Disneyland, and I actually think it might be a little more magical going as an adult. I cannot wait to go again and again throughout 2013! It was really crowded that day (and I was having way too much fun) so I didn't get too many pictures, but it'll be the perfect quick getaway from life.

I wish you all the happiest of holidays! I've really enjoyed this holiday season so far! Giving gifts brought me so much joy this year. I have so many people to be thankful for and I'm so glad I was able to express my love and thanks for them. I am genuinely just so high on life right now. I have everything I could possibly need, and I cannot wait for the new year to begin.

Until next post,
Jasmine

cardigan - irene's story

top - forever 21

jeans - gap

ring - brandy melville

shoes - american eagle

photos by andrea and me

Shadow Days

I wore this same dress and cardigan outfit on my birthday night two weeks ago, but of course, with more festive accessories (like a sparkly leaf headband), heels, and curled hair. Dressed down, this outfit was perfect for an easy day trying to get some Christmas presents put together. I really love the two Fall colors together. I've been really trying to enjoy my winter break so far. I even took the plunge and bought myself a Disneyland annual pass for Christmas. Sunday was my first trip to Disneyland in about a decade, and my first time at California Adventure ever! But even so...the news of Sandy Hook Elementary has really weighed down my heart. Sure, other shootings that have happened recently disturbed me, but none so much as this one. Maybe it's because I'm going to be a teacher myself soon, or maybe it's because I have students of my own, but for this to happen to children who have only just begun to live is just so tragically devastating. I couldn't help but feel a little sad while I was at Disneyland, surrounded by happy and carefree children, knowing that 20 children would never experience well any of it, ever. I'm also just so scared now because I honestly don't know what I'd do if I were ever put in that situation. You can bet that I'm hugging my students extra tighter today than I did when I said goodbye to them on Friday.

Until next post,
Jasmine

cardigan - h&m

dress - cotton on 

belt - forever 21

shoes - aldo

Edge of Desire

This sweater. I cannot get enough of this sweater! I wore this outfit shamelessly two days in a row, because it's the best outfit to try to write papers in. I'm pretty sure I've fallen for stripes again because in the midst of buying Christmas presents on Saturday, I somehow ended up getting two striped sweaters for myself. It's the last week of classes and all I want to wear are cozy sweaters and skinny jeans. I'm so relieved this quarter will be over as of 10AM today. It has been the longest one yet, and I feel like from now 'til graduation, it'll be so much easier, especially since I'll be spending more time at fieldwork with my students instead of in a stuffy classroom. My first order of business of winter break? To finish Christmas shopping! I'm having so much fun buying gifts for other people, and I seriously have so many people to thank for being so supportive this year. Like my friend Jen, who I met in class but clicked with because we both didn't do an assignment, made me this bracelet for my birthday. The fish is made of actual fish bones, and knowing that I love the beach a little more than a lot, she picked it so that I could always have a piece of the ocean with me. Well now I do, and I also have a piece of her with me too. My anchor bracelet broke a little while back so now I wear the anchor around my neck.

Until next post,
Jasmine

cardigan - irene's story

t-shirt - stylemint

jeans - gap

shoes -aldo
watch - nordstroms
rings - jewelmint

sunglasses - raybans

Things I've Realized So Far Being 23

1. The only thing you can do when your car breaks down on your birthday is laugh.
2. There is still so much I don't know.
3. "Life isn't about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself."
4. I'm getting better at knowing what I want and don't want.
5. I actually like coffee, but still not as much as tea.
6. The anticipation of giving a gift is way better than receiving one.
7. Silence is good sometimes.
8. Be unapologetic of who you are. Because you are unprecedented.  
9. Who needs a boyfriend when you have cozy sweaters? (I still do, just not now)
10. I will make better mistakes tomorrow.
11. Life is still, just beginning. 

Until next post,
Jasmine

24 Before 24

  

I turn 23 years old today!

Already, this birthday has just been so amazing. Over the weekend, my parents got me a new Macbook Air. This means more than just getting a new computer for me. I was never that kid who had a long wish list for her birthday; rather, all I really wanted were books. This is the first big present from my parents ever, and for me, it just symbolizes how much growth my family has achieved over this past year. I finally feel like I'm making my parents proud. And then yesterday, my friends in my grad program surprised me by taking me out to lunch in between classes. Tonight, on my actual birthday, a few of my oldest and closest friends and I are going out for a fancy dinner. I'm so excited to dress up and begin this next year in my life with people that I love.

This feeling of new beginnings has been my theme lately, and I am just so high on life right now. The year of being 22 brought my highest of highs and my lowest of lows, and I wouldn't have had it any other way. I can't help but feel everything happened like it was supposed to because I can't imagine my life any other way. I have the best group of friends and with them by my side, I just know that this next year in my life is gonna be an amazing one!

So here's my 24 before 24 list:
1. Get a tattoo.
2. Run/walk a half marathon.
3. Go on a road trip with friends.
4. Cycle through most of my clothes.
5. Read a classic.
6. Be more confident.
7. Visit a drive-in movie theater.
8. Cook dinner for my parents.
9. Overcome a fear.
10. Go to a Lakers game.
11. Make something from scratch.
12. Hang out with Jen and Maggie in real life.
13. Read the news more often.
14. Visit a state I haven't been to yet.
15. Be financially independent.
16. Get better at photography.
17. Learn to play the piano again.
18. Go on a date.
19. Get to know LA better.
20. Ride the Great Park Orange Balloon.
21. Take a picture with a celebrity.
22. Drive less. Bike more.
23. Go to a concert.
24. Worry less.

Until next post,
Jasmine

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