Weekend Photo Diary VII

Another one of my resolutions is to use my camera more than just for my blog. Yesterday, my friends and I enjoyed each other's companies and the beautiful weather by walking around the lake and taking pictures on our cameras. One of them now has my old DSLR and the other now has my old 50mm lens. I love that we have another thing to keep us close and to do together. I hope to do more of these photo diaries through out the year. I started doing them in the Summer because I was funemployed and had all the time and occasions to use my camera, but I want to continue taking pictures because I really do enjoy it. I live in such a beautiful city and have such beautiful friends, so I'm just out of excuses not to accomplish this resolution.

Until next post,
Jasmine

Almost Not Crazy

Phew! The holidays are officially over and I'm so ready to get back to normal. I even ventured out and took these photos on my own because I wanted to get back into the swing of blogging and normalcy. Did you all have a good New Year's Eve though? I spent mine with Robert and my oldest and closest friends. It was a mellow and relaxed night, but I wouldn't have had it any other way! I was a tad overdressed though in my Selective Potential dress that Maggie gave me a long time ago. What I really wanted to wear was this "I'm Almost Not Crazy" t-shirt and a pair of comfy skinny jeans. This tee has to be my softest tee in my entire closet! I'm so glad I lucked out and redeemed it from Chictopia's Reward system; though now I want more StyleMint tees. This is my new favorite necklace too. I got it for a $1 because my dear friend was sweet enough to let me use some of her store credit so she could exchange a Christmas gift for something she really wanted.

The weather has been gorgeous lately: 70's and even 80-degrees! I'm a tiny bit weary that Summer will be ridiculously hot, but I can't help but be happy that I live here in Southern California. I hope I make it to the beach soon.

Until next post,
Jasmine

cardigan - gap
top - stylemint
belt - h&m
skirt - j crew
necklace - foreign exchange
shoes - charlotte russe

2012 Resolutions

I can't believe is 2011 is coming to an end so quickly yet so slowly at the same time. Looking back, I'm actually really surprised that I accomplished all of my resolutions (well as soon as I press submit to my grad school apps, blah). I don't even think I was consciously doing it either. I have definitely adopted a healthier lifestyle: eating less junk and exercising everyday. I made this resolution because I was getting sick a lot last year, but this year I can't recall getting really sick. This year, I have also really spent way less money on clothes than I did last year. After taking a real close look at my bank account in the Summer, I realized that I was an impulsive shopper. I then stopped shopping at Forever 21 and have since started to really think about the pieces I'm buying. In September, I had an amazing couple of days in New Jersey and New York City with Jen. Over the year, I've been a bad blogger in spending less time on my blog/your blogs/on the internet, but I have really enjoyed the "real" world too.

This next year, I hope to continue my weight loss journey and get back to my high school weight. I hope to travel somewhere outside of the U.S. While I have loved going to three NYFW's, I just want to experience something entirely new in a new country. I want to cook more so I can continue saving money so that I can eventually move out. Cooking feature on my blog anyone? To continue with spending less time on the internet, I want to read more because Robert gave me a Kindle for my birthday and because I really do enjoy reading but just can't find the time anymore. Robert's always teasing me how I don't like to try new things (especially food), and it's sort of true. I really don't like change. It freaks me out and I hate not having control/not being able to predict what's going to happen. But life is unpredictable so I'm going to try a new thing every month, whether it be a new food or a new fashion trend.

What are your 2012 resolutions? I am so ready for 2012 to be here already. I just really need a fresh start.

Until next post,
Jasmine

2011 Flashback

It's the time of year again when all of these flashbacks will start appearing on blogs, and I really enjoy reading them. I love seeing how we've all grown and changed over the course of a year, even if it seems like this year especially flew by. Looking back on my 2010 Flashback, it seems that back then, I was more focused on finding my personal style, and I did. Last year I went to fashion shows and spoke at the Chictopia 10 conference. This year though, I have been more focused on me as a person, not as a blogger. I didn't care about networking during NYFW. Blogging has now become more of a carefree hobby that I'm gradually loving again over time. Instead of obsessing over what I should buy and outfits to wear, I'm really enjoying life. I have found a job that I am in absolute love with. My relationship with Robert and friendships are the strongest they've been in a while.

As many of you know, I began my weight-loss journey on February 1st this year. While I've gained some weight back with it being the holidays and all, the most weight I've lost was 25-pounds. Even though some days I don't see the difference on the outside, I can feel the difference on the inside--I'm more confident in and more sure of who I am. I'm slowly realizing my self-worth. I'm not afraid to go after what I want anymore. I'm okay with being alone and being independent, actually sometimes I prefer it that way. I'm stronger and better than I was in 2010. I hope to lose another 25 pounds and grow more as an individual in 2012.

Here are my favorite 11 outfits/photos of 2011:

#1 Life's a Beach

#2 Finding a New Path


#3 Baby Blue


#4 Quiet Confidence


#5 Impulse Buys


#6 NYFW: ModSwap


#7 Jersey Shore Photo Diary


#8 Made for Walkin'


#9 Florals in Combat


#10 In Cahoots


#11 Stuck like Glue

runner ups:

not sweater weather / just enough
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Since this is a personal style blog, I'll highlight the changes in my style too. This year I broke away from my signature stripes and bows, so much so I'm not really sure what my signature is anymore. The change in my style definitely coincided with my weight loss, probably because I've been willing to try new things. My looks became more structured and rugged with the additions of boots and jackets in the Fall, and yet somehow, I think my looks have become a bit more girly (even without the constant wearing of bows in my hair). I didn't really buy skirts this year, more dresses I think. It's funny looking back on the changes over the course of a year, because through out the year, you think nothing much has changed but after a long time, you realize just how much has changed. I remember thinking at the beginning of the year that my style probably wouldn't change much since I had my signature looks, but look at me now. Who knows how style will be next year this time? I'm excited to find out! I can't wait to come up with some new style resolutions too. I already know one of them is going to be wear more shorts and pants on this blog.

All in all, 2011 was such a pivotal year and it'll be always remembered as just that. It was the catalyst to the person I am now and to the life I am living and will be living. Thank you so much for all the support you gave me all year long. I love you all so very much! Here's to a new year!

Until next post,
Jasmine

Grinchmas

Happy Holidays my lovely blog readers!
I've been feeling like such a Grinch this Holiday season. I've stopped listening to Christmas music in my car and I've done the Holiday crafts at work half-heartedly. Christmas lights this year just seem to have lost their magic too. I'm just looking forward to the new year and a fresh start. While 2011 has been wonderful in so many ways, it has definitely been a crazy roller coaster kind of year. I've been doing a lot of reflection lately, which I think is necessary and important before the start of a new year. I'll have to put together a 2011 Flashback post sometime this week.

This top is one of my oldest favorites in my closet, but I don't think I've worn it at all in 2011. This was such a last minute outfit (like Robert was already driving down my street when I put it together) that it was probably out of an old habit to reach for this top. There has been so many holiday looks with lace and the color red too. I remember when I first started blogging I would wear this top with any new skirt I got. That was when I didn't have such a cramped closet. I love mixing new and old with each other--this is my newest favorite ring. I have so many bow rings but this one is definitely my favorite, probably because it wraps my love for nautical things and for bows together in a cute little ring.

I'm off to a holiday party with friends now. I just wanted to pop in and wish you all the merriest of whatever holiday you may be celebrating.

Until next post,
Jasmine

cardigan - gap
lace top - f21
skirt - urban outfitters
belt - h&m
shoes - urban outfitters
bag - madewell
ring - hautelook