fall essentials

I can't believe that November is more than halfway over! Before we go into full Christmas mode (which I may or may not already have ), I wanted to do a post on fall essentials! Here are three items/trends that I am wearing the most this fall.

starbucks cup (video)

My official Halloween costume this year was a Starbucks Cup :) Follow the jump to see my costume and my almost costumes!

fall weddings

today's outfit of the day is a double dose of wedding! Here are two looks from two weddings I attended two Saturdays in a row (featuring my beautiful friends)..

follow the jump to see more

costume ideas (audrey hepburn video)

I've never been that into Halloween, but I've always jumped at the chance to dress up or make a costume. I think it's so much fun to come up with something a little more original, conquer a diy (do it yourself), and try to use items I already have. Granted, I went as Minnie Mouse last year which may be the most unoriginal idea ever...but if I dress up this year I promise to do better haha! However, I encourage you to be creative, have fun with your costume, and above all else...do everyone a favor and don't go as Miley Cyrus.

Sometimes, there's no time to plan an elaborate costume. Also, who wants to spend all that money? Here are some of the simplest ideas for this year's Halloween :)

cozytober (video)

Grab a cup of coffee and your coziest socks as we dive into October and all the festivities it brings...

falling into fall

Fall is finally here...the time for cozy sweaters, hot lattes, warm smells, snuggles, pumpkins, bonfires, crisp nights and cold air. But before we get ahead of ourselves, sometimes in this transitional time from summer to fall...it can still be rather hot. For many of us (me included) this can be frustrating because we want to break out our boots and scarves and layers and bring on the fall fashion. But how can we when it's too hot? Here is an outfit I wore to welcome autumn fashion while still embracing summer weather.

jean jacket: Gap

skirt: Cotton On

shoes: Converse

bag: Kate Spade

new york fashion week: the three m's of s/s '14

Hearing all this fashion talk on tv and twitter, you may be sitting there wondering, "What exactly is going on at New York Fashion Week (nyfw)?" As I said before, I wanted to keep you all updated on what's happening in fashion week if you don't have time to watch the shows yourself or want a quick summary.  It's hard to keep up with it all as there are literally hundreds of shows/presentations happening in this one week. So...to meet that end I will try to be brief and give you an idea of what I think we will expect of Spring 2014.

fashion month

It's here...the biggest month in the fashion year...four weeks, four cities, and countless runway shows. As today is the kick off New York Fashion Week, you may have no idea what I'm talking about & that's okay too because you're about to find out..

Prabal Gurung, New York

liquid liner (beginner tips)

So..liquid liner is increasingly popular lately (and is one of my personal favorites as well).  The "winged out" look is seen almost everywhere and is a great way to have your everyday eyeliner look very sleek and chic. There are a few ways you can do your liner, whether you like it more or less dramatic or intense.  However, it is not always easy to master the precision of liquid eyeliner, especially the winged out look. Here are a few tips for those of you who want to venture into the world of liquid eyeliner.

tuesday two (video)

Hey everyone! So lately I have really enjoyed making youtube videos and have decided to do something kind of fun...a new series called the tuesday two! It will basically be a two minute video talking about anything from makeup to fashion to hair to crafts.

This week I wanted to talk about moving in to a new place and designing it to make it your own. It's that time of year where everyone is going back to college and that means new dorms and four blank walls (or two walls if you share the room? haha). But either way, being a home away from home..you want to create a space that is homey, cozy, and comfortable for you. Check out my new video for some ideas on how to get started :)

fall/winter 2013 trends

August is here...hard to believe the year has already reached its halfway point! Though it may be disheartening to see summer begin its fade into fall, it is time for a new chapter, a crisp breath of cool air, and some fresh fall fashion. As much as I love summer and its breezy ocean days, beachy hair, and hot sun, I get excited thinking about the next season. I may be a tad more excited because I don't have to go to school this fall, but still..it's exciting nonetheless.

To me, autumn is more of a romantic time of year.. perhaps its the scents and sights of crackling fires, warm ovens, and colorful hues of changing leaves. But I also think the fashion is a bit more romantic in a sense as well. Spring/summer fashion is usually a time to be bold, bright, and blooming where fall/winter is rich and deep in color, classic in design, yet fresh and edgy its own way. I also think fall/winter fashion is a bit more intriguing because of the layering aspect of the colder months. It's a time to welcome the changing of seasons by starting something out of the ordinary, treading new trends, and being romanced by the atmosphere around you.

Here are some of my favorite looks and most notable trends going into f/w 2013:

Follow the jump to see more...

my hawaii diary (video)

Here is a little photo/video vlog from my recent trip to Hawaii! Stay tuned for more posts from my entire trip :)

MY HAWAII DIARY

packing tips (video)

It's that time of year...whether it is family visits, out of town weddings, or just plain vacation, its the traveling season. I will be the first person to jump at the opportunity to travel anywhere, anytime, any reason. There is something enchanting and alluring about being in a new place, and also an anticipated yet calming feeling of escaping the normalcies of daily life. However, there is one thing that I dread every time I go anywhere...the terrible and unescapable challenge of packing.

If you're like me, packing is definitely not what I look forward to doing. In fact, I dislike it so much that I have been known to put it off to the last minute, even up to like 2am the day I am leaving. As you could guess, that doesn't normally turn out too well. I usually end up wherever I am going with one item too short, outfits that don't come together well, or having just plain forgotten things.

So, too avoid these types of "packing faux pas",  I decided to get a jump start on my packing this year. I am leaving on Tuesday for over three weeks and am trying to pack in mostly carry-on bags.  I decided to further propel myself into the packing mood by making a video. These are some of the tips I have found to be most useful when deciding what to bring on my next journey :)

let me know what tips you have for packing/trips. xoxo!

wedding season: what to wear

It's that time of year...dun dun dun dun..dun DUN dun dunnnnn.....WEDDING SEASON (that was supposed to be the bridal march by the way haha)! Many times in late spring/early summer, it seems like there are weddings almost every weekend (or if you're my parents, you DO have a wedding to attend every week). Being the dress-concerned person I am, I have had my fair share of stressing over what to wear to a wedding.

To decide what to wear for a wedding, I think it's best to put the wedding in context. Does the invitation specify dress code? Is the wedding outside? What time of day is the ceremony/reception? What is the location?

Taking all things into consideration, here are a few ideas to give some inspiration for those "what do I wear" moments:

follow the jump to find your perfect wedding look...

spring nails (video)

So I was doing my nails and thought, hey! it would be really fun to make a video. I mean, I have a great camera, a mac with iMovie, and a couple hours so why not. I love doing my nails, especially in the spring/summer time. It is so fun to try out new designs and colors and go a little crazy sometimes. I decided to do a mint green floral nail in this video. It was the first time I had ever done it, so hopefully you like it :P. I find it really fun to record/edit videos so here goes nothing! I also added some photos of nails past just for fun!

Follow the jump to see more!

coachella dreamin'

I have been obsessed with Coachella since I first heard about it last year. Weekend 1 was last weekend and weekend 2 is coming up on Friday! My taste in music has changed a lot the past couple of years and I have been wanting to go to a musical festival so bad! If you have been around me this past weekend (cough Paulynna cough cough) or follow me on twitter, you have had to hear me talk about it nonstop and how I wish I was there. If you don't, here is just a small taste:

hahaha ;)

In case you don't know, Coachella is a huge music festival in California that happens every year. They have a line-up of established/emerging/reunited artists and music groups with everything from rock to indie to electronic music. But thats only the half of it. The other half is dedicated to visual arts, with installation art and sculptures (usually interactive). If this doesn't sound completely amazing to you then I don't know what does! But wait..there's more...fashion of course! I have never been to Coachella, nor do I have plans to go soon (unless I start saving for a Coachella fund..tickets start at $349)...but it is definitely on my bucket list. Photos speak louder than words, so check it out!

follow the jump to see more...

starbucks saturday

Hello friends! So I call this Starbucks Saturday because that is the only place I went today. I love taking Saturdays to sleep in (till about noon), get a good workout in, make a good breakfast (more like lunch) do some homework, and just relax. I figured I'd do a little blog post to say hello and try out the blogger app..so I'm posting from my phone today! Hope everyone has been having a lovely weekend :)

follow the jump to see more...

spring 2013 trends

What better way to celebrate the welcoming of spring than talking about spring fashion trends! I have been really excited about this post for a while now because I am obsessed with this season's fashion. obsessed. I love spring. It proclaims new beginnings, sunrises, and fresh outlooks. After a long (and might I say very cold) winter, I am definitely ready to welcome the warmer weather and the fresh fashion trends that come with it!

Graphic Black and White
This trend was literally made for me. If you know me well, see me often, or have ever shopped with me, you would know that most of my closet consists of black and white (mostly black, but still). I find it timeless, elegant, and classy. I love the graphic look as well along with the (my) signature black and white colors. It gives a way of taking staple colors and making them really interesting. For instance, mixing prints or choosing a bold pattern. Here are a few of my favorite looks:

Oscar de la Renta: I'm so obsessed with stripes (also a spring 2013 trend) right now. This look is perfection, love the statement necklace with this amazing gown.

follow the jump to see more...

thanks a latte (recipe)

Lately I have been loving iced lattes more than hot coffee (most likely because I want to force spring/summer to come quicker haha).  My favorite lattes are the skinny vanilla latte and skinny caramel macchiato from Starbucks. But as you can imagine, this can put some damage on your wallet.  Add it to my late chai tea/passion tea/green tea obsessions and I will be flat broke haha.  In lieu of this, today I decided to try to make my own iced coffee/"latte".

Somewhat to my surprise, it turned out great! I used only ingredients I already had, and even though it could never replace my love for Starbucks, it is a great everyday solution for the iced latte craving that your bank account will thank you for :)

follow the jump for the recipe...

oscars 2013: my personal best dressed list

So I was originally going to do this on twitter, but I couldn't fit under the character limit for just about ANY of my picks...so here are my picks for best dressed EVERYTHING at the Oscars (I had to come back and change this after my post got a little out of hand..warning you now it's rather long haha). Before I begin, I will say that I thought the Oscar fashion this year was absolute and all around glamour. The Oscars are always my favorite awards show (and I do love me some awards shows) because I have an obsession with film (its art form, history, messages, complexity, and of course, the stars... so basically everything!). Mix that with fashion, musical performances, and acceptance speeches and you will find me glued to my television for about 6 hours (give or take with pre-shows/after-shows). So you may think I'm crazy, but I just love every minute of it. My mom and I are already starting to plan our Oscar 2014 Party..so that gives you an idea of our love for this evening ;)

So back to my best dressed list...obviously everyone's is different and people have individual tastes in style and color. That could be one of the greatest things about fashion..but that's another blog, another time. Without further ado, let's allow the dresses to speak for themselves:

follow the jump to get started...

all wrapped up (recipe)

Lately I have been crazyyy about wraps. Ever since I found 100% whole wheat tortilla shells, it's been a go-to lunch or dinner during the week especially. Add some fruit on the side or a glass of orange juice (also one of my favorite things ever!)... and you've got a healthy (and delicious) lunch! Here are two quick and super easy recipes of wraps I've been loving the most :)

Tuna Wrap
-1/2 can of tuna. *Note! I have been making mine with 0% fat greek yogurt...much healthier than mayo, and I think it tastes just as good (if not better!)
Optional:
-Handful of spinach leaves
-Craisins
-Blueberries
-Feta cheese

Peanut Butter Banana Wrap: not sure you need a recipe for this one, but its so yummy!

-1 banana, sliced

-peanut butter

-honey

I definitely have the tuna one more often, and I am currently trying canned salmon too..definitely helps when you're without a kitchen :) xoxo

eating clean: a lifestyle

Hello and welcome to my new and improved blog. Actually, it's not really improved..just new. But I welcome you regardless. I don't really expect anyone to care about what I eat or wear or do with my free time, but that's why it's a blog...you can choose to read it..or don't, whatever :P I thought I would start out with a few of the foods I can't get enough of lately.

For about a month now, I have really been trying to eat clean, which is not a diet..but a lifestyle choice. If you haven't heard of it, basically it means you are choosing to eat whole, unrefined foods (more specific info here). Not to say that I eat 100% clean by any means, but it's something I enjoy trying to do as much as possible.

That being said, I have had to find ways to make yummy meals without a kitchen, but I have to say I have found a lot of good recipes and tips for eating clean. I am probably going to post different things as I make them, but lately I can't get enough fruit and spinach. I'm completely obsessed with smoothies, and I basically put spinach in everything. Before you totally write it off, try it..you might like it ;) Recipes coming soon! xoxo