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

Transitions

The thing about taking blog pictures on the weekends and not on the actual day you wear the outfit is either you re-wear what you wore earlier in the week or you plan an outfit for the upcoming week. Well this outfit is the latter. With only two days of fieldwork this week, I can definitely wear this outfit when I have class. Since I started waking up at 6AM, before I drift off to sleep every night, I try to plan my outfit for the next day. With my bed facing my closet, it's not hard to just stare into its abyss until an outfit or two come to mind. Sometimes it works out, and some mornings I'm frantically trying on everything in my closet. This mustard yellow cardigan happened to be near a chambray top and I thought the combination of colors was perfect as a transition from Summer to Fall. Normally I lament and mourn the end of Summer since I prefer the warmer seasons, but ever since I got this cardigan last week, I am anxiously waiting for it to cool down so I can wear it with other Fall colors. And well, this 100-degree heat is starting to get a little old.

Until next post,
Jasmine

cardigan - h&m

top - forever 21

belt - h&m

skirt - american apparel

shoes - aldo

Sunday Morning

Robert came back home to visit me over Labor Day weekend, and it was the most perfect weekend I've had in a really long time. It was just so indescribably good to see him again in real life. On Saturday, we shopped for work clothes for him and just relaxed with a movie and online TV. On Sunday, we went to the Great Park flea market as soon as we woke up. I was trying to find some accessories or knick-knacks for my room, but I didn't find anything. Still, it was just fun going up and down the rows of vendors and looking at their junk/treasure piles. I kept seeing things that I would've liked to put in my imaginary apartment. I cannot wait to finish up with grad school and begin life on my own, and when I do, the first place I'm going to go for furniture will be this flea market. It was filled with so many possibilities. Robert was able to score a few vintage Batman and Superman comic books that he's super excited about. After the flea market, we grabbed Japanese BBQ for lunch. I then took him to see my fieldwork site, and next to is a cafe where we got some yummy pastries. To walk off our lunch and dessert, we shopped some more and I scored a pair of trousers from Gap for $17. I really liked my outfit that day. It was just the perfect outfit for the perfect day.

I wore this top again yesterday for the first day of school with our students, and I gotta say...our third graders are awesome! I've been so tired, but it's more of a good, happy tired.

Until next post,
Jasmine

top - francesca's collections

skirt - cotton on

belt - charlotte russe

sandals - h&m

bag - madewell

sunglasses - raybans

Little Reminders

If you've followed my blog for a while, you'd know that I'm a t-shirt addict. I have an entire drawer of my dresser dedicated to t-shirts, so when all the "Mints" starting coming out, I was really excited about StyleMint. I was lucky to have redeemed a tee on Chictopia via their rewards system, and since have been lusting over their super soft tees but couldn't stomach paying $30 for a t-shirt (however soft they are). So when I saw they were having a sale, I jumped and bought this t-shirt. White tees are a must have for me. I wear one every week and always pack one when I travel. I think it's become tradition that I buy at least one every year around the time school begins. I was obviously all about comfort and dressing to feel good that day with a white tee and my favorite skirt. I picked up this dainty ring from a flea market a few months ago. I really like how simple it is and how it doesn't annoy me like most rings do after a while.

I was feeling a little down last week so I decided to wear these bracelets that I've had for a while. They're just little reminders to have faith and hope that everything's going to be okay. Without Robert around, it's gotten kinda lonely. It's strange doing what used to be our usual things without him. I miss the little things--grabbing lunch, trying to convince him I need something while shopping, telling him things that pop into my mind that instant, etc. I've just been trying to focus on myself--working out, eating healthy, getting ahead in some classes, taking blog pictures on my own, and reading my stack of books on my nightstand. He did get to visit me over this long weekend so I'll be posting about our adventures soon. Today's the first teacher day at my fieldwork site, and tomorrow is the first day of school. Here we go!

Until next post,
Jasmine

t-shirt - stylemint

skirt - francesca's collections

belt - charlotte russe

shoes - aldo

ring - thrifted

bracelets - cotton on

watch - nordstroms

Pantspiration

I've taken a recent interest in pants, mostly for practical reasons. As a student teacher this year, I really want to be involved and interactive with the students, and I don't want to worry about accidentally flashing a third grader anything but flash cards. So while I'm on the hunt for longer skirts that are still flattering for my short frame, I think trousers will be the way to go. Robert thinks I look better in pants anyway. I've also found myself gaining a bit of confidence this year in trying new things, like my last post in which I wore something pink and sleeveless. I can feel a change in my style happening right now, and I really like the way it's going. I think I'm finally starting to dress more my age. You'll get to see more of my work wardrobe starting next week when school begins for the students.

What are you favorite ways to wear pants? 

For more on what I find inspiring or amusing, follow me on Tumblr! Have a lovely weekend!

Until next post,

Jasmine

picture sources:

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