Singularity

What better way to celebrate being single than with crazy tribal pants? Valentine's Day didn't make me any more aware of my singleness because I've been relishing in it lately. At this time in my life when I have more friends who are either engaged or in serious relationships than single ones, I've made the conscious choice to stop online dating (those stories will be saved for another day) and to just be guitlessly selfish, because I can. Don't get me wrong, I'm happy for those friends, but I just feel like your mid-twenties is such a messy, awkward, and fun time in your life that no one really writes songs or stories about. And I don't want to miss any moment of it. It's like being in high school again--being unsure of yourself, figuring out who you are, who you want to be, and what you want to do--except this time around, you can drink and you sorta have money to travel. All the while, you're starting a career that might not be the right choice, paying off loans for said maybe right choice, and trying to find someone to spend the rest of your life with. I just think that we're married for a lot longer than we are single, so love and marriage can and should wait for me to grow up a bit more.

Until next post,
Jasmine

top - foreign exchange

pants - g-stage

boots - nordstrom rack

watch - nordstrom 

accessories -  nordstrom, target, urban outfitters, 

charming charlie, brandy melville, jewelmint

Didn't Know I Was Lost

Fresh starts aren't limited to just the new year--they can happen any day and everyday. For a greater part of January, I let dark thoughts eat away at my zeal for life. I started questioning my career choice and who I was--the typical quarter life crisis symptoms. It wasn't until two weeks ago while standing in a dressing room in a dress that was too small for me that I realized that I needed to take my life back and stop giving other people, especially those who hurt me, the power to control my life and my emotions. I was out of excuses for myself, and so I started taking better care of myself: running/hiking more frequently, eating better foods, putting more thought in my outfits, and learning to say no. I feel like I'm slowly getting myself back together, and I'm becoming the person I want to be. Maybe it's because I was in such a dark place mentally, but I've taken a recent liking to all things black and grey.

I spent part of last weekend exploring The Orange Circle with an old friend, Tina. We got coffee inside of a bank and passed by some cute little shops. Next to a Starbucks, we stumbled upon this little grungey gem of an alley and met a poet who was taking his head shots there. It felt nice to feel like I was someplace else for a little while, even though we were still in sunny Orange County. 

Until next post,
Jasmine

photos by tina

Everything has Changed

The start of a new year always brings about reflection of the past and hopes for the future. 2013 was definitely the best year of my life, and I'm pretty bummed that it wasn't documented here on my blog. I graduated, found a job in Orange County, went to Disneyland over 20 times, explored LA and San Diego, started dating casually, dyed my hair brown, got a smart phone, went horseback riding, and had some of the best nights of my life. I feel like 2013 was a process--a process of rediscovering who I am, of starting my career, and of rebuilding my home base by reconnecting with and making new friends--and now that I've done all that, I just know that 2014 will be my year to just...be. To be me!

I was shopping with a friend the other day when I stumbled upon a brightly colored, sailboat printed top. I held it up and thought to myself, "A year ago, I probably would've bought this in a heartbeat." My friend thought the same and then commented just how much my style has changed over the past year. And it was then that I realized that it has changed for the better because I feel that I've changed for the better. I've traded in the peter pan collars, polka dots, bows, and sailboats for speckled knits, slouchy beanies, and ankle boots. I feel like the first half of the year was spent trying to look like how I should look being in grad school, and now I dress for me. After spending a year to find my footing, I have felt a void of creativity, and I've truly missed blogging and photography. You always have time for what you put first, so I think it's time to put myself first more this upcoming year. Every year I make resolutions (and I think I did pretty good on the ones I made last year), but I think this year I just want to stick to one...to just be better and happier than I was last year.

Here's to a new year full of new adventures!

Until next post,
Jasmine

photos by marilyn

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

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

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

Inventing Shadows

The marathon of all paper writing is finally over. I turned in my monstrous 100-paged, single-spaced paper and 15-minute video on Thursday, and enjoyed what was left of my spring break with (a little too much) retail therapy, movies, and Netflix. I updated my closet with some Spring things like this breezy, bright coral top. My patience paid off and I got these polka dot printed jeans for $25 at Gap! Even though I spent more than I had wanted to, I love everything I hauled recently and I know that I'm going to get a lot of use out of them. I've also been pretty good about cycling through my old clothes. If you had told me a year ago that I would be wearing polka dot jeans, I would have laughed in your face. The next type of denim on my list? Floral printed jeans! My style has changed quite a bit since last year so I'm going to clean out my closet pretty soon. I also bought a top for upcoming job interviews. I can't believe it's that time already where I'm practically done with my graduate program and I'm going to be job hunting.

I wore this outfit to brunch with friends on Saturday, and I'm most likely going to wear it again for fieldwork this week. During brunch, I picked up my old habit of comparing myself to others and what they have. It's hard still being in school and being in a different phase of life than your friends who all have full time jobs. It's weird though, because when I'm not thinking of other people, I'm not bothered by my employment status, rather I'm happy and even proud of where I'm at. The grass always seems greener on the other side, but when I really think about it, I like my side just fine. I just have to keep reminding myself that I truly love what I do and my life right now, and that this poor grad student lifestyle won't last for much longer. Today, I'm starting my new placement with my first grade class. As excited as I am, I can't help but continue to miss my third graders, but at least I can still visit them from time to time.

Until next post,

Jasmine

top - mango

jeans - gap

watch - jewelmint

shoes - reflection

necklace - bcbg via macy's

photos by andrea

Good To Be Alive

I'm pretty sure my friends and you are sick of seeing me in this denim jacket, but I can't help that it goes with everything! I can't help that it was also the perfect outerwear for Sunday's trip to Disneyland. My friend, Andrea, and I found this Wilderness Explorer Park that reminded me of Central Park in the bustling city of New York, because in the midst of all the craziness of Disneyland, you can come here for some peace and quiet. And if I'm lucky, someday I'll get to meet Russell from UP! It's on my Disneyland Bucket List to get a picture with him. While taking these pictures for me, my friend Andrea commented at how confident I seemed while having my pictures taken. This idea of having confidence, and enough of it where it's noticeable, is new to me, and I've been wondering since Sunday if I actually really have it or if I've just become comfortable in front of a camera after blogging for 3+ years. It's probably a little bit of both. Over the weekend, I remembered just how great my life is, and it wasn't just because I was at Disneyland, but it was also because I have so much to look forward to. Because I'm normally a half-empty kinda girl, it's so easy, especially when I'm stressed, to look past the good things that are happening and focus only on the work to be done or the things that aren't happening or should be happening. On Friday, I received the details of my next student teaching placement that begins in April. I'll be at the same school, but I'll be in a first grade classroom! I'm so excited because that means I can still see my third graders and because I love the school I'm at. Friday was also my last official day with my third graders, but I'm going in an extra week because I adore them so much. They surprised me with this huge gift basket, where they donated supplies for my future classroom. I am seriously so blessed. As crazy as this year has been, it has easily been the best year of my life! It's crazy that graduation is in 50-something days.

Life is only just beginning.

Until next post,
Jasmine

jacket - gap

jeans - gap

shirt - nordstrom

shoes - reflection

necklaces - forever 21

watch - jewelment

photos by andrea