Winter Solstice

Dress: Gap Sweater and Scarf: Target Boots: Wanted Lipstick: MAC Russian Red  Earrings: H&M

Another day, another black dress. But since it's the winter solstice, also known as the shortest day of the year, I had to make my outfit count to make up for the lack of daylight it would be seeing. Faux fur scarf? Yes, please. Grandpa sweater with elbow patches? Sign me up. Bright red lipstick? You betcha. I am sad to report though, that literally as I stepped out of my car from returning home from a day out shopping, the sole on one of my boots came off. I guess now I have to go back in time and find a cobbler and his elves to fix them for me. :(

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Favorite Things 2017

As 2017 draws to a close, I've been looking back on all the good things about the past year, the lessons I've learned and the things I've discovered and figured why not pull an Oprah and put together a list of my favorite things? So here are a few things that I loved in 2017:

In beauty:
- Incoco nail appliques were an absolute game changer for me. I'm pretty physical with my hands at work, so regular manicures don't stand a chance. Incoco nail strips are super easy to apply (takes me about 10 minutes and NO dry time needed), stays on for a week +, and they're made of real nail polish, so the removal process is so easy. Literally take them off like regular nail polish. No special process required. And they come in the cutest designs. I honestly get compliments on every design I wear. Tip: Apply some Seche Vite top coat over them to make them last even longer.

-Clinique Beyond Perfecting Foundation in Breeze. I tried this a few months ago and I love it. It comes with a wand applicator so it can be used as a concealer as well. It's pretty full coverage so a little bit goes a long way.

- Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer in Vanilla. I'm pretty sure this is my Holy Grail concealer. I can tell such a difference in my makeup when I wear this under my eyes and when I don't. It just makes me.... look better. haha. I don't know how else to describe it. It's creamy, goes on smooth and blends well.

- AG Hair Cleansing Cream I love the whole AG Hair product line. The spray wax, the texture gloss, the sea salt spray-- I use all of it. But I have to say, the cleansing cream really impressed me. The directions say no conditioner is needed with this and the first time I used it I was like, okay *eye roll*. But after I rinsed it out, my hair was so soft it felt like it was a conditioner. And the shampoo doesn't lather so it doesn't feel harsh on your hair. I do use the Reconstruct keratin repair mask with it once a week and I can't say enough good things about all their products.

In fashion:
- H&M Gold hoop earrings. You would think someone with eight piercings in their ears would be a bit more adventurous in their earring choices, but the truth is--I forget. I have a decent earring collection but I just wear studs 99% of the time. These gold hoops make it really easy because they go with everything. They're simple but still complete an outfit and have been my go-to for the past 6 months. I'm wearing them here, here and here.

- Forever 21 high-waisted skinny jeans. $10 jeans are always a gamble. They could either be really cheap or the best things ever. These ones were some of the best things ever. They're super stretchy so they almost feel like leggings, but they have pockets (so bonus!) and they're really comfortable. They go with everything and I find myself reaching for them 95% of the time. I'm wearing them here and here.

In books:
- The Little Book of Hygge by Meik Wiking. I know hygge is all the rage right now, but rightfully so. This book was a fast read but left me feeling warm and cozy and like I wanted to live in Denmark. It's such a wonderful concept and I loved reading all about how the Danish cherish slowing down and spending time with friends and family in the coziest ways possible. It will definitely make you want to buy a candle and some furry socks.

- Unseen: The Gift of Being Hidden in a World That Loves to Be Noticed by Sara Hagerty. This book is all about God meeting you in places where you feel stuck and unproductive and unnoticed. In a world where people judge you (and you judge yourself) on how much you can do, how much you can produce, and how big of a difference you can make, sometimes God allows you go through seasons of being hidden so He can show you your worth is not in what you do.

- I Can't Make This Up: Life Lessons by Kevin Hart. I listened to this as an audiobook and I have to say, it was the right choice. It's read by Kevin so instead of it sounding like someone just reading from a book, it's like he's telling you the stories how they happened. I listened to this while working overnight shifts at work, and I would find myself just laughing to myself, all alone. So if you plan on listening to this while out in public, be advised you'll probably look like a crazy person laughing to yourself. It's worth it though.

Apps:
- Stash Invest. I wasn't really one to pay attention in economics class in highschool and I really couldn't tell you the first thing about stocks, but I was super intrigued about the Stash app. It lets you invest in different stocks for as little as $5. It breaks everything down into super simple terms and helps you dip your feet in the adult world of the stock market. If nothing else, it helps you set aside a little bit of money each week as a savings and if that particular stock goes up, then yay! I've already made about 10% of my investments. I mean, It's not Warren Buffet numbers but hey, I'm learning.

- Shopkick. Most of you might already know about this one, but if you don't it's an app where you earn "kicks" for walking into store, scanning items, purchasing certain things, etc. and the kicks can be redeemed for giftcards. I've had it for awhile, but I got super into it again this year and got $100 in giftcards (!!). Which really comes in handy when you're waiting in line and think, "wait, I think I have enough kicks for this!" and are able to redeem your giftcard and use immediately. Enter code YAY672469 when signing up and get 250 kicks just for your first walk-in. Take it from a person with a shopping addiction: you need this app. You also need Ebates, but that's a while different thing haha.

- Headspace. This is another popular one that I really enjoyed using this year. It's meditation made easy. Short 10 minutes sessions on anything from anxiety to sleep to anger to creativity and focus. They also have mini 2-3 minute sessions on breathing and refreshing. The more I hear and learn about mindfulness, the more I am convinced it is a necessity in our lives. So for anyone who thinks that they are impossible at sitting still and meditating for any amount of time-- give this app a try.


So those are a few of my favorite things (sang in a Julie Andrews voice) for this year. Hopefully this helped you discovered something new, or maybe a few of these were even on your list. As much as I get super nostaligic around this time of the year and have a hard time with letting things go, I remember of all the new things I'll get to discover and try and learn about in the future and how there is a whole new year approaching to start on a new journey. What are some of your favorite things that I need to know about in the New Year? I'd love to hear about them!


Nothing in this post was sponsored, all opinons are my own. Some links may generate commission.

Black and Boots

Dress: Forever 21 Socks: Target Boots: Forever 21 

Do you ever sit and think how long you've had an item of clothing? Or think about the memories attached to it? This outfit brings up a couple different memories for me. First, I remember wearing this dress to a symphony at Cal State Fullerton, which was a required assignment for a history of music class I was taking when I was like 20 or 21. I remember feeling very classy and cultured... until I spilled ice cream on myself. Don't worry, it was on the way home. 

The second memory is with these boots. If you remember back in 2011 I was part of a style contest at my local mall. Me and three other people were given $200 and an hour to pick out an outfit, change and walk a runway. You can read about the details in this post, but these are the boots I picked out. 

I lost, but the fact that I'm still wearing these 6 years later, I think I'd say I won.

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Sweat It Out

Dress: Asos Sandals: Lauren Conrad 

A transition piece at it's finest. For days when it's not cold enough to wear a jeans a sweatshirt, but not hot enough where you'll die if you wear something thicker than a cotton tee. Enter: the sweatshirt dress. Cozy and cool at the same time? Sign me up. 

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Balance and Grace, an essential oil journey

 

I've mentioned here before in an earlier post about incorporating essential oils into my daily life and how I use them. I've decided to go a little more in depth and start an Instagram page talking more about them-- their different uses, how I personally use them, different diffuser and rollerball blends. I'll still try to throw posts up on here about them, because like I said, talking about them helps me to expand my own knowledge about them. I'd like to also say that I don't want the new Instagram page to be solely about oils either. I want it to be about overall wellness and a balanced life in general. Perhaps different books, stress management, anxiety tips, things like that. Even though oils may make up the majority of the content, I want to touch on other things as well. So if you're interested in learning more about oils, or already use them and want to just follow along or even help me on my own journey, I'd love for you to pop on over and follow me! 

Overall, it's good

head to toe: Old Navy

So I finally put a shirt on under these overalls, after going all spring and summer wearing it like I was a 6-year-old boy at a creek in 1935. I honestly love this jumpsuit so much, and I've been racking my brain trying to think of how I can transition it into fall and winter. But with the length of the pant legs, I'm not sure I could pull off weather-appropriate shoes or tights without looking like a colonial boy. I guess I'll just have to wear it as much as I can before close-toed shoes are no longer optional, but a necessity. *sobs*

Other outfits with these overalls:

 

Just the Basics

Shirt: Urban Outfitters Pants: Forever 21 Jacket: Kohl's Shoes: Vans

I know I sound like a broken record, but I really do feel like my style is being pulled more to the minimal side. My heart yearns for a capsule wardrobe, but my shopping addiction says no. 

But let me let you in on a little secret. I was really excited to start taking outfit photos again, until after a little while I remembered one of the downsides: the constant need to create new content. Meaning, when I go to my closet and head straight for my favorite jeans and shirt I immediately think, oh no I can't wear these, I've already gotten a picture wearing these, I have to wear something totally new. Which is great when you're trying to expand your taste and variety in outfits and are challenging yourself to come up with something new every day; but it's not so great when you fall into this 'I always have to have something new' mindset. That can be stressful and frankly, expensive. And sadly, your favorites that you love and could wear multiple times a week, just sit there. 

I, for one, really love seeing people use a capsule wardrobe because I like seeing pieces being used in multiple ways. I like the idea of a practical, functional (and comfortable) closet. And while I don't necessarily want to bind myself to 30 set pieces while ignoring everything else in my closet, I don't want to not wear things I love because I've already shown them on here and fear it might be boring. I promise I will try to keep things revolving and used in different ways, but I don't by any means have an eccentric style. Earlier in this blog (like, 8 years ago) I did try to have a somewhat eclectic, quirky style. Yet as I got older (and perhaps lazier) I just wanted to keep things simple. Life's stressful enough as it is, I don't need to add uncomfortable over-the-top clothes to it. I always think of this Gap commercial, and the tag line 'let your actions speak louder than your clothes'. That's pretty much going to be my mantra from now on. It can be casual and still be cute, and every now and then, make it over-the-top, because you can still play dress up. Life's stressful, but it isn't that serious. /end rant on justifying a jeans and t-shirt post haha.

Other outfits with these pieces:

  

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Autumn's Eve

Sweater: H&M Pants: Forever 21 Shoes: Target

Autumn is here!! Not that I've been counting down or anything ;) ...and not like we have a huge seasonal shift here in Southern California, but it's still exciting. Crisp air and crunchy leaves are in reach, I can feel it. 

A couple months ago, in an attempt to save closet space, I finally bought some under bed storage to store all my winter clothes. Which was great, it freed up a lot of space in my closet not having sweaters and jackets in there. The downside though, is when I started to see fall and winter clothes pop up all over the internet, my immediate reaction was, "oh that's cute, I don't think I have one of those" even though I probably do, it's just out of sight out of mind. So I'm trying to not buy any winter clothes until I take what I already have out of storage (which won't happen until I know for sure we're out of the 90 degree weather for good) so I don't end up buying more of what I already have, defeating the purpose of saving room. One thing I did cave in on and buy though was this sweater from H&M. It's casual yet stylish, perfect for an everyday capsule wardrobe, and only $25! It's been the only winter-y thing hanging in my closet for weeks (I couldn't get myself to put it away in storage). I've looked at it every day anticipating the day it would finally cool enough to wear it, and finally, this week the day arrived. It was everything I imagined it would be. And even though the weather got a little warm in the afternoon, the sweater's light enough that it didn't bother me. It just made me all the more excited for colder weather, and when I can finally excavate all the warm, cozy things from under my bed and be reunited with the treasures I forgot I had. 

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Stay Golden

Shirt: Target Shorts: Fossil Sandals: Target

It's funny how I own at least 100 pairs of shoes, yet I wear these $10 sandals from Target every day. Maybe I should finally just succumb to the minimalist in me. 

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On the Waterfront

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Words of Widsom Wednesday

How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful

Dress: Target Sandals: Kohl's

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Photo Roundup

I seem to be drawn to the warm colors of a late summer afternoon. To the wheat fields and barren land and the wild sunflowers that thrive in it. It's funny when you want to go out and shoot things and go on these adventures seeking perfect photo ops, yet you still have this touch of agoraphobia that makes you not want to travel too far out. It forces you to find beauty in things right where you are. Things you may have passed a million times but never really looked at. It's a nice lesson to learn, that while you work your way out, inch by inch, to further places, there is always something where you are that is deserving of being captured; to be looked at from a different perspective. You learn to open your eyes and find beauty within your limitations.

Across the Pond

Top: Lulu's Jeans: Levi's Sandals: Target 

Float on

Dress: Macy's Sandals: Old Navy 

I could wear this dress every day and not get tired of it. It's super comfortable and the tulip cut makes walking around on a windy day feel like you're a 5-year-old playing dress up. Unfortunately this particular style is no longer on the site, but the plus size version is still available!

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It Made a Difference for That One

“Once upon a time, there was a wise man who used to go to the ocean to do his writing. He had a habit of walking on the beach before he began his work.

One day, as he was walking along the shore, he looked down the beach and saw a human figure moving like a dancer. He smiled to himself at the thought of someone who would dance to the day, and so, he walked faster to catch up.

As he got closer, he noticed that the figure was that of a young man, and that what he was doing was not dancing at all. The young man was reaching down to the shore, picking up small objects, and throwing them into the ocean.

He came closer still and called out "Good morning! May I ask what it is that you are doing?"

The young man paused, looked up, and replied "Throwing starfish into the ocean."

"I must ask, then, why are you throwing starfish into the ocean?" asked the somewhat startled wise man.

To this, the young man replied, "The sun is up and the tide is going out. If I don't throw them in, they'll die."

Upon hearing this, the wise man commented, "But, young man, do you not realize that there are miles and miles of beach and there are starfish all along every mile? You can't possibly make a difference!"

At this, the young man bent down, picked up yet another starfish, and threw it into the ocean. As it met the water, he said,  "It made a difference for that one.” 

--Loren Eiseley 


Don't ever think that what you do doesn't make a difference; small things can add up to big changes. We can look at the world and all the suffering, sadness and unrest and become so overwhelmed that we can't possibly fix everything, we do nothing at all. Or we could look around us and think, what can I do today that might make a difference to someone or something? You never know what big impact a small act can make. Be on the lookout for where you may be needed-- a kind word, a donation, a lending hand. It will make a difference, and probably in ways you may never even know.

"I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples."   --Mother Teresa 

photo: Elena Morelli

Black is Back

Top: Target Jeans: Walmart Kimono: Target Hat: Forever 21 Shoes: Old Navy

Remember how I said a couple posts ago that I was going through a "blue phase"? Well, I guess that didn't lost long, because judging from my last couple of outfits, black is back. Can I also just take a minute to talk about this new top? I saw it at Target on clearance for, like, $10. Technically it's a "sleep cami" but I doubt anyone would know the difference between a sleep cami and an awake cami because, is there one? Anyway, the thing that is the best about this cami is that it has a built in bra. Not like ones of those shelf bras that are just an added piece of cloth with elastic on the bottom. This one has a place to put removable cup for actual support and modesty. So anytime I can say "sayonara" to a real bra, I am all for it. I got one in black and one in grey and I'm kind of kicking myself for not getting one in white too. Crossing my fingers they're still there on my next Target trip...