Shopping Addiction and The True Cost

I recently watched a documentary on Netflix called The True Cost.

I had an incredibly moving experience from this documentary so I thought I'd share it with you.

The most important thing I took from this was to be conscious of where you get your clothes. I'm guilty of shopping at fast fashion retailers, but after watching this documentary my opinions about shopping and retailers has completely changed.

I cannot explain the entire problem as well as the film makers so please watch it if you care about the environment and the well being of the farmers and factory workers in the retail fashion industry. 

I pledge to use this blogging platform to promote sustainable and ethical fashion practices. I hope you watch the film and take away something huge like I did. 

Flashback Friday: London Fog

Sandro Leather Jacket // Helmut Lang Sweater // 7 for Mankind Jeans // Rag & Bone Boots // Chanel Mini Classic Flap

Remember that one time 4 months ago when I went to London? Probably not because I'm posting these now..

Cringing that I forgot I had these photos, but better late than never?

This is a real throwback for me because my hair is very short now. Looking at these make me miss my long hair, but with time I'll get it back. 

This trip I scored this beautiful peach/camel leather jacket. Originally I saw in the U.S. for about 1000. However, while I was in Paris for a few days I came across a Sandro outlet store in Les Marais a few blocks from the beautiful Place de Vosges for under 300 euros.

I loved the Hoxton area in Shoreditch where my good friend I was visiting lived. Also Camden was an experience and really good people watching. Overall, I had a great trip and plan to return soon.

London is too beautiful of a city not to see again and again.

Stay tuned for posts to come. I'm settling down in my house at school so I will have the privacy this year to do more posts. The dorm life will not be missed haha.

Enjoy your weekend.

Fore

Brandy Melville Tank // Madewell Denim // Adidas Superstar II // Vintage Belt // Vintage Snapback

I write this post as I am jumping for joy over the fact that I just ended my freshman year of college. I can't believe it's already over! When people say live moves at the speed of light after high school they aren't lying. 

I'm sad to be leaving Richmond for the summer, but I'll be visiting plenty of times before the start of the fall semester to get my new house ready (more posts on that to come).

These photos were taken by my good friend Abigail. One random night last month we decided to wander around the neighborhood by campus and do some nighttime shooting. I love my prime lens for night shots because it captures even sickly florescent overhead lighting beautifully. It also helps having a great photographer. 

This look encompasses my uniform for school. I'm all about the high neckline tanks to accentuate my shoulder muscles (yes I do lift now haha) and the Adidas Superstar II just add the perfect amount of cool to any look. The urban style has really taken over my closet this semester it's interesting to see the progression of my looks through time and having this blog really documents it well.

Stay tuned for exciting things this summer.

"We'll always have Paris"

Thrifted Sweater // All Saints Leather Jacket // Forever 21 Skirt // H&M Thigh Highs // Rag and Bone boots // Linda Farrow x Phillip Lim Sunnies // Chanel Classic Mini Flap

While I was in Europe for spring break, my good friend and I stayed a few nights in The City of Light. It was great returning to Paris after just one year of being away. While we were there, it was conveniently Paris Fashion Week. We didn't go to any shows, but trust me, we tried very hard. Nevertheless, it was still amazing being in the same city as so many bloggers and spotting a few on the streets.

I was very inspired by Topshop Unique AW15 for this look. The monochrome turtle neck/skirt combo is very 60s mod. I wanted to make more of a statement so I wore my beautiful Linda Farrow x Phillip Lim mirror sunglasses.

P.s. I'm so sorry I've neglected my blog for the past few months. School is ending soon so I will have endless amounts of time in the summer to work on my blog. I don't post because I don't want to sacrifice the quality of each post. I hope you all are doing well and are enjoying the new spring weather. I know I am. 

My Go-To Makeup Look For School

Another video showing a light make-up look. This was a favorite of mine this past semester because it is so easy and natural looking-- perfect for class. Let me know what you think.

New Year Resolutions

Urban Outfitters Crop Top // Madewell Jeans // Allsaints Leather Jacket // Adidas Superstar II Kicks

Happy New Year to all my readers!

This year was the one of "firsts and lasts" as I've read many times on my peer's timelines on social media. I graduated high school, started my freshman year of college, ended my first long term relationship, and moved away from home... Woah.  I can't believe I'm already at this point in my life.

I didn't have a new year's resolution planned before I started writing this. Last year I was so passionate about my skin care routine and treating my face with the utmost care.. This year I didn't think about my resolution enough before hand. I have been great about hitting the gym because of the accessibility at school-- so I don't think my resolution will be to "get fit," as most people vow.

As I type this, I'm trying to figure out what to promise myself I will accomplish.. What comes to mind is making more friends and overall being more friendly/outgoing. I am a defensive and reserved person, which is a good and bad quality in my opinion. However, I'd like a more positive outlook to be as dominant in my personality. 

As my second semester starts in a week, I want to make more connections and think about others feelings, not just my own. I'm not to center of the universe. No one is. I think I need to keep that in mind during my day to day life.

I hope you all had a wonderful New Years.

Palm Tree Christmas

Free People Dress // Steve Madden Heels // Free People Bralette // Chanel Mini Flap

Merry Christmas readers!

Hope you are having a wonderful holiday. I spent today having brunch with extended family and friends. The south Florida weather is such a nice change from the freezing cold back in D.C. 

This tunic dress is perfect for a Christmas in a warmer location and I'm absolutely in love with the bell sleeves. I know it's not like me to dress ultra feminine, but once in a while it's good to feel like a girl. 

Too bad I won't be able to wear it until spring back up north. Alas, I return home tomorrow, back to reality-- just in time to ring in the new year. 

Lookbook | Off Duty

This lookbook is inspired by the "off duty" look that is seen all over Pinterest. It's supposed to be what models would wear during fashion week-- running all over town going from one job to the next. The principles of the 3 looks are comfort, monochrome or muted colors, and versatility. 

I kept all the looks with a pair of black skinny jeans because it is the number one staple of the "off duty" look. You can see basic pieces such as a white top, leather jacket, or heavy knit can be incorporated effortlessly.

I worked really hard on this lookbook, but it was a ton of fun to make. Let me know if you like it an if I should do more. 

Leather Weather

Allsaints Leather Jacket //  Forever 21 Knit Top // Madewell Denim // Zara Ankle Boots // Ray Ban Sunnies // Chanel Classic Flap

It seems like fall was here for a minute and now winter weather has arrived. This polar vortex is killing my Pumpkin Spice latte vibe. What's the fun of fall when the weather is telling you to order that Peppermint Mocha that seems more appropriate for Christmas? (Actually I only drink soy lattes, but you get the point)

Oh well, I guess the weather is following the retail marketing trends and pushing the winter/Christmas buzz up a few weeks. It just feels like I was waiting for fall to come for so long and then I didn't even realize it was here before it passed and the winter chills took over.

You may have seen this outfit in the last video I posted. I love this off duty look that a monochrome outfit with ankle boots gives. The black leather jacket, which is my best investment of the season (seriously guys), just adds that cool factor to an otherwise boring outfit.

Week In Outfits: 1

 I had a lot of fun doing this and I want to try to incorporate more video elements on my blog. Let me know if you want me to do more week in outfits.

Outfit 1

t-shirt: James Perse

jeans: Madewell

flannel: Brandy Melville

leather jacket: Allsaints

shoes: Birkenstock Arizona

thrifted cap

Outfit 2

t-shirt: Vince

shorts: Zara TRF

socks: HUF Plantlife

shoes: Nike Blazers

Outfit 3

button up: thrifted

jeans: J Brand

shoes: Birkenstock Arizona

leather jacket: Allsaints

bag: Chanel mini classic flap

Outfit 4

t-shirt: Forever 21

shorts: thrifted

shoes: Birkenstock Arizona

bag: France

sunglasses: Ray Ban Clubmaster II

Outfit 5

t-shirt: Forever 21

jeans: Madewell

shoes: Zara

leather jacket: Allsaints

sunglasses: Ray Ban Clubmaster II

bag: Chanel mini classic flap

Last Look At Japan: Vlog

Here's the last, and complete look at my Japan trip. I had so much fun vlogging throughout this amazing trip with my friends I hope to do more videos and vlogs in the future while abroad. Tell me what you think about the video and if I should do more like this on my next trip.

Summer in The City: Embellished Street

Free People Dress // Comme Ça Ism Bomber // Superga Sneakers // Chanel Mini Caviar Flap

In my last Summer in The City look I decided to take a formal dress (this one I actually wore to a high school homecoming dance) and make it hypercool for a night out in Chelsea.

Just add a jacket and tennis shoes and any look is turned street. The particular interest here is the heavy beaded dress and gold accents with accessories; then juxtaposing it with a casual linen bomber and beat-up Supergas. 

Sorry all of my posts have been summer related, but I'm officially out of archives and pre-shot looks. Now I must create new and relevant content, so stay tuned for fall posts. 

Have a great week xx

Summer in The City: Dressing Up Jeans

Madewell Denim // Joie Blazer // Just Female Top // Madewell Heels // Chanel Bag

These Madewell skinnies are quickly becoming my staple pair. The medium rise, sliced knees, and frayed ankle is everything I look for in a pair of denim.

Here's a look from The Village in August. It was pretty chilly so this pairing can easily transfer to fall. A smart blazer will dress up even the most destroyed pair of jeans, so it's good to invest in a high quality jacket. This Joie jacket I snagged from the summer sale for a good price. Sadly, it's cream linen so there's only a few more days I'll be able to wear it. 

The weather is cooling down each day Richmond and the fall equinox is this weekend. Stay tuned for the fall posts to come.

Fushimi Inari Shrine

 Forever 21 Dress // Birkenstock Sandals // Chanour Coin Necklace //

Sadly my Japan outfit posts come to a end, but I saved the best for last. My absolute favorite part of this trip was visiting all the temples and shrines in Kyoto. The coolest one was the Shinto Fushimi Inari Shrine where you can take a 2 hour walk through thousands of tori gates.

 Fun fact, my favorite book and movie, Memoirs of a Geisha, is set in Kyoto during WWII. So, going through the old city and experiencing the traditional culture was like having the story come alive. The city and temples were so beautiful I actually teared up multiple times.

I've been really missing Japan and traveling. I hope soon I can go on another trip like this soon. Japan gave me so many new experiences and opened my eyes to a completely different culture. I learned that I can appreciate and love something so different from what I'm used to. 

Last Beach Day

Free People Crop // Splendid Pants // Ray Ban Sunnies // Vintage Necklace

Happy Labor Day everyone and happy birthday to me! To end the last weekend of summer here's a beach look taken a week before I moved to Richmond for college. 

Fall is my absolute favorite season, but it's sad to see the summer fade away. Now that I'm off at college and getting back into the swing of school, I'm really excited for the sweater weather in  a new city.

There are still summer posts to come (don't worry), so we can still pretend the hot weather will last forever. 

Have a great long weekend.

Summer in The City: T-shirt and leather skirt

 

Project Social TT-shirt // UO Faux Leather Skirt // Birkinstock Sandals // Madewell Tote // TheMarket NYC Necklace //

You all know how much I love t-shirts. I don’t need to explain anymore just how versatile I think they are. This particular one from Project Social T has quickly become one of my favorites.

I took some inspiration from Sincerely Jules and tried pairing it with a dressier mini skirt for a daytime look. Hey, I was in New York and needed to look cute and effortless (which is my definition of a good plain t-shirt).

The outfit could easily be made into a nighttime look with a pair of heels and a jacket. The Birkinstocks keep it grounded and casual… and BONUS!—they’re comfy as hell.

How do you like to style the classic t-shirt?

Everyday Waves Tutorial

Want to see how I get my everyday windswept waves? Check out the tutorial and tell me how it works for you. 

Asaksua

American Apparel Romper // Superga Shoes // Madewell Tote // H&M Hat // Anthropologie Necklace // Ray Ban Sunnies

My second day in Tokyo was spent touring Asaksua to see the Sensoji Buddhist temple and the tallest tower in the city, Tokyo Skytree. It was the most touristy day filled with several stops and activities.

 I knew I had to be comfortable in the insane humidity and crowds, so I chose this American Apparel romper, my Supergas, and topped it off with a straw hat. 

I would suggest taking half a day to go to Tokyo Skytree to see the breathtaking 360 degree view of the city... then quickly see Sensoji. The temple was very grand and beautiful, but very crowded and chaotic. I much prefer the calmer secluded temples in Kyoto, nevertheless this was still a beautiful sight. 

Stay tuned for more Japan posts to come.

Summer in The City: Packing tips for a weekend away

It always seems that the shorter the vacation, the harder it is to pack. Many of us struggle with finding the right balance between under and over packing. 

Here's what I'm packing for a two night, three day stay in The City this weekend. 

The key is bringing separates in the same color families to mix and match.

1. T-shirts are my staple because they can be paired casually with short or with a cute skirt for a cool city look. Plus they're comfortable for traveling. 

2. Denim cutoffs are a no-brainer in the heat of the summer. They look great with a dressy shirt like the ones below to clash the rips and frays. 

3. If you have dinner reservations, a fancier shirt is good to dress up plain bottoms. 

4. One pair of jeans is good to have for traveling and if the nights get chilly.

5. Leather shorts or a skirt make any outfit look sleek and pulled together. Best for night outfits to avoid baking in the heat.

6. A linen blazer or bomber jacket is good for creating depth to a plain outfit and looking more styled. 

7. Three pairs of shoes is enough... maybe one more pair for the gym if you plan to work out. A simple and comfortable heel for evening. Birkinstocks (or other sandals) and a sneaker for daytime activities like shopping and sight-seeing. 

8. One or two statement necklaces can add intricacy and interest to any boring outfit.

For bags, a good sturdy tote (like this Madewell transport tote) is great for traveling to your destination.






I also like to bring a small bag that can be used in the daytime or evening.





Lastly, a large duffel bag to carry all your items in. I prefer a duffel for bus or car trips because you can easily load it in trunks and under your seat. For planes and trains stick to rolling luggage to easily navigate through crowds.

Keep a look out for  more Summer in The City posts to come.