Acid Wash

 

Isn't it ridiculous how much power a small, or not-so-small pimple can have over how you feel about yourself or how your day goes? You can't really see it in these photos, but I currently have a pretty big one near my nose. No amount of concealer or foundation could make it go away. I hate to admit it but I almost let it ruin my day. While getting ready, I tried on many outfits that would've otherwise been okay to go out in, but I kept focusing on my pimple. I could've probably been wearing head-to-toe Chanel and I would've still just seen the big, red pimple. My discard pile was bigger yesterday than it had been in a while, and the last time it was this big, I was having body-image issues. I remember even thinking putting off resuming outfit photos until the pimple went away. But a few discarded tops later, I remembered this one in all of its acid wash glory, and so I piled on some accessories (including sunglasses that would cover the evil pimple) and curled my hair, and I was ready for lunch with a friend. And then I remembered that this is why I liked blogging about what I wear--because the right outfit can just make you feel like you don't have a pimple on your face.

Until next post,
Jasmine

cardigan - gap

top - tazga

shorts - marshalls

sandals - target

rings - brandy melville

necklace - forever 21

watch - nordstroms

bracelet - love fashion

San Francisco Photo Diary

My family and I made a quick, spontaneous getaway to San Francisco this past weekend. As I said in my last post, it was a much needed break for everyone. We set off early Friday morning, arriving in SF just in time for lunch. We first made a stop at Coit Tower to take in the breathtaking view of the city. Before checking into the hotel, we drove down the infamous, winding Lombard Street. With all the steep hills, I didn't dare drive when we were in the city. Our hotel was situated in the heart of Union Square so shopping was really accessible. Just down the block were some of my favorite stores--H&M, Uniqlo, Urban Outfitters, Gap, and Forever 21. And it was a good thing too because I definitely underestimated how cold it would be in SF so I had to buy a sweater and a scarf to keep warm! Walking along the streets in Union Square reminded me of New York and how small and insignificant the tall buildings made me feel. On Friday night, we made our way to Fisherman's Wharf and caught a glimpse of Ghiradelli Square.  

On Saturday, we grabbed breakfast at the little cafe next door to our hotel, and did a little more shopping and exploring in Union Square. After checking out, we headed to Fort Point to see the Golden Gate Bridge. I have never gotten such a grand view of it before without having to fight off crowds to take pictures. It was a pretty clear day so we got a good view of the bridge. We then headed across the bridge to a little, charming town called Sausalito for the best crab roll sandwich I've ever had at Fish. After exploring Sausalito, we said goodbye to the city and made our way to Cupertino for some mediocre Chinese food. On Sunday morning, we made the trek home--making a stop in Monterey for the 17 Mile Pebble Beach Drive. It's been on my bucketlist to drive along PCH on a trip to SF, so I'm glad I can check that off! The final stop we made was in Santa Barbara for a family favorite restaurant--Fish House to conclude a wonderful family trip together.  

It feels good to be back home. Even though I've visited many of the big cities--LA, SF, and NYC--over the recent years, I always end up missing the simpleness of suburban life in Orange County. I have a few weeks before work starts up (one of the perks of being a teacher) so I'm going to try to travel a bit more around SoCal. I'm also going to try to get into the routine of blogging by snapping outfit photos at least once this week! 

Until next post,
Jasmine

At The Beginning

As of now, I possess a teaching credential. I've graduated and am finishing up the last two weeks of my program. I'm in the job hunting process right now--had a second interview with a school yesterday, and will have a third interview with another school on Friday. This has got to be the most nerve-wrecking, but exciting time of my life. I am having a hate/love relationship with the notion that I just have to go with the flow with whatever life hands me, at least for now. The ending of my student life and the beginning of my career is bittersweet. Hasn't my whole life lead up to this point? All the AP classes and extracurricular activities in high school, all the part-time jobs and internships during and post- undergrad--everything has led up to my growing up, and working in the real world. Everything is starting to come together, and I'm scared and excited. I definitely needed a break from all of this so last week, I escaped to Pasadena to spend the day with a friend. We grabbed lunch, hiked to the Griffith Observatory, ate Early Grey Tea ice cream, and satiated my cravings for pizza and milk tea. I've missed blogging, and so this brick wall made the perfect backdrop for a few snapshots of everything I'm loving at this moment--light jackets, high waisted shorts, breezy tanks, triangle jewelry, and minimalistic sandals. My style has definitely changed over the course of this year and I regret not having documented it, but I'm hoping now that school is winding down, I can blog again.

How are you all doing? Tell me what you've been up to this Summer!

Until next post,
Jasmine

jacket - gap

top - zara

necklace - forever 21

shorts - forever 21

sandals - target

photos by marilyn

Live While We're Young

 

I can't believe graduation is less than a month away now! Starting this program last June didn't feel like too long ago, and now I'm practically done! This past year has tested me for sure, but I've grown so much from it all. Now that I'm nearing the end, everything is suddenly becoming so bittersweet and sentimental. Since I don't really know where I'll be in the Fall (which by the way is scary and exciting at the same time), everything is becoming a "what could be the last time in a while." My thoughts of my future float from opposite extremes: one moment I cannot wait to be on my own--to have my own place, my own classroom, and my own life; but the next moment I don't want to leave the safety of this life I've created. At this point though, I'm really just focused on finishing this year as strongly as I began it--with the same zeal and motivation. It's been hard to push through my fatigue recently as I've been feeling burnt out from the rigor of this program, but I definitely want to make the most out of the last few weeks of my student teaching experience.

This outfit was taken during my trip to San Diego a while ago, which just goes to show you how busy I've been! It's a good depiction of my weekend uniform though--relaxed top, skinny jeans, sandals, and minimal jewelry. Oh wait, that's been me everyday! I'm itching to wear skirts and dresses, especially when it was 90+ degrees out, but when I'm teaching, I have enough things to worry about without a wardrobe malfunction being one of them, so those skirts and dresses will just have to wait a little while longer. 

Until next post,
Jasmine

top - forever 21

jeans - gap

sandals - target

necklace - brandy melville

rings - brandy melville, irene's story

watch - nordstrom

bracelet - fashion love

photos by amy

San Diego Photo Diary

I'm in the final stretch of my grad program. Summer is just so close that I can actually see the light of the tunnel! Now that I'm student teaching full time as well as have a full load of classes though, life has pretty hectic and just crazy. From now until graduation day, it will be non-stop working and so a weekend away to San Diego to celebrate a friend's upcoming 24th birthday was just what I needed. We first grabbed lunch at an Ethiopian place and did a bit of thrifting before checking into the hotel. Once we got there, we glammed up for dinner, and a night of clubbing and bar hopping in the Gaslamp Quarter. We danced the night away until our feet hurt and I was eventually walking barefoot along the street. Just before this trip, I finally found a basic little black dress that I can dress up or down depending on the occasion. For that night, I wore it with a statement necklace, a mint belt, and a pair of black wedges. I forgot to ask my friends to take pictures of my evening outfit, but better pictures of my day outfit will be in the upcoming post! In any case, I'm sure I'll wear this LBD out a lot in the future and I'll be sure to get pictures of it then. For now though, you have pictorial evidence that I wear more than just jeans everyday!

Until next post,
Jasmine

Growing Pains

Over the weekend, I kickstarted my mini-spring break by having a picnic with quite possibly my oldest friend, Tina. We've known each other since first grade, and I'm so glad we reconnected at a Christmas party in December. While nibbling on cheese, crackers, and pepperoni, and sipping on tea, we reminisced of simpler times when I was apparently fearless and would ask boys if they liked me via notes with checkboxes. Now our lives consist of figuring out who we are, what we want to do, and where we want to go. It just seems like a lot of people my age, myself included, are experiencing the quarter-life crisis right now. At 23, we're just in this weird, awkward transition where we're not financially able to be independent but we want to be; or we're getting restless of where we are and want to move onto bigger and better things. And somehow between now and 30, we should have a career in the making, be married, and maybe have a kid on the way. Some friends are closer to reaching these expectations than others. While I'm anxious to start my non-student life, I also want time to slow down a bit so I can enjoy being young and having the sky as my limit. Now that I'm approaching my graduation day, the golden question lately has been where I'm going to apply for jobs--am I going to stay in Southern California, or am I willing to uproot and experience a new place? Realistically, I have to go wherever the jobs are, but also, I want to enjoy the feeling that I can go wherever with nothing really tying me down. I'm going to apply for jobs all over California and will just have to see where life wants to take me.

Until next post,

Jasmine

denim jacket - gap

top - forever 21

jeans - gap

sandals - target

necklace - brandy melville

sunglasses - raybans

photos by tina

Brighter Days

I wore this outfit on Easter Sunday, and even though it wasn't the most festive outfit, I still liked it. A comfy tee, skinny jeans, minimal jewelry, and sandals were perfect for a sunny stroll at the lake with my friend, Andrea. I was supposed to post this sometime last week, but I never got around to it because it was the hardest and longest week of this program so far! It was the first week of my new placement in a first grade classroom. I didn't think moving down two grade levels would make much of a difference, but let me tell you, it's a whole different world! These first graders are so energetic that I was just so drained physically and emotionally my first week. I miss my third graders. They were my first class and I will never, ever forget them, but I am really trying to make the most out of this experience. I can already see a difference in my abilities and confidence from my first day of my first student teaching placement to my first day at this placement. This week is my students' spring break so I can rest up a bit before resuming student teaching full time. I still have classes though so I'm not completely free, but I'm going to make the most of it. I am determined to purge my closet and to get to the gym at least three times. Summer's quickly approaching and for once, I would like to enjoy going to the beach and pool without feeling self conscious about my body. My friends and I are also planning to go on a trip shortly after my graduation so that's going to be another motivation to get more active and to finish the final stretch of my program.

Until next post,
Jasmine

jacket - gap

t-shirt - stylemint

watch - nordstrom

bracelets - forever 21 and jewelmint

jeans - gap

sandals - target

purse - marc by marc jacobs

photos by andrea