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