Thursday, June 21, 2012

It's Casual.

Working at a young start-up with a relatively casual atmosphere means I shouldn't be whipping out work pumps or a blazer-pencil skirt combo [let's spell out.of.place]. I like to tone things down a bit because being comfortable physically and mentally means I can concentrate on the actual work. And since I ruined my linen pants from being careless with oil paint & am on the hunt for cropped pants that make me immediately say IlookGOOD, I've been going jeans on jeans on jeans with a splash of coral capris. With a favorite tank and fitted blazer. And I just switch out the jeans for shorts or a skirt once I'm home for some summer time.

But my thoughts in the mornings don't revolve around the jeweled trinkets I'd like to adorn or even the homemade soy milk on the kitchen counter. Truth to be told, when I initially get woken up by the sunrise all I can think about is "the alarm hasn't EVEN rung yet" and -_-.
It happens and I'm okay with it.


*Nine West neutral knit blazer. Cynthia Rowley blue patterned scallop tank. Express white jean shorts. Forever 21 cascading bronze flowers necklace. Tommy Hilfiger green band sandals.*

Grabbed this blazer when I was 15 and am just now wearing it around. Whoops but yay!! 

Finds from my hunts:
Marshalls- blazer & tank & sandals.





Basically the same.

[I don't know why I love this look..]

Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Dreamlog: One of Many

One of my beyond ridiculously vivid dreams:


I was somehow immersed in the middle of a clan of superheros, and the supposedly "Superman" character told me I had to go with him. I was narrating these happenings to my boyfriend as "Superman" picked me up [in a stork transporting newborn position], and another Hawkeye-like Jeremy Renner via the Avengers superhero was driving to the designated location. During our flight, Superwoman(?), "Superman's" wife was giving us some incomprehensible information, but I have a sense that she was just chastising me. The scene of our flight is above a map sketched out on old parchment paper and as we travel, our route is being traced by a black ink line below displaying the path that we've been on. Just as I was wondering if the other superhero already got there, we start to spiral down and our closing spiral is traced as we narrow in on our location. A little bolt of light flashes, and we disappear at the center of the spiral. "18 days" is marked by the black ink on the parchment paper. We fly down just as the other superhero gets there on his motorcycle. It's night and we're on a desert with a small wooden shack house. 
And then it's around 7:30 am, and I'm awake.

Apparently, I fell back asleep and began dreaming yet again. I was with my boyfriend ["M" for the sake of simplicity] and "N" and "E" and we were watching a horror film at his house, which was a white marble mansion (doing it big in my dream..a bit too big). But the horror film was a continuation of my previous dream! As we watch, I'm experiencing the movie as if I'm in it.

  A circle of four or five wooden chairs is set up in the desert. I'm with the previous two superheros and another couple, and each of us is behind a chair. And on each chair sits a villain. We go one by one and use a hammer to hit the chair at a specific angle with such strength that by simply connecting with the chair, the hammer is able to shatter each villain. Their limbs fall apart as the body flies forward. But as we near the third chair and the hammer hits, the villain is badly hurt and not killed because that superhero's strength was weakened as a consequence of him upsetting a family member. So the villain is frantic now since he has to wait and endure another blow. Another superhero, who is against violence, takes over. He kills the villain quickly with the faintest tap of the hammer on the chair, just strong enough to kill without any explosion. Then it's my turn to hit my chair. However, the villain in my chair gets up and tries to run away but two bat figures attack her face and her eyes decompose and sink into their sockets. The villain up next girl also gets up to run away and helps the villain who's under attack. They are chased towards the ocean by the force of bats. But once they reach the shore, there is an army of night-lit figures or demons or ghosts approaching from the sea.
 And then I'm back at M's house covering my eyes as the movie ends.

So the four of us decide to walk to N's or E's house because they are all neighbors. We walk to our side yard and it's freezing outside so M wraps an arm around me as we near a barbeque/party held on M's neighbor's side yard. We walk through and up to the path running parallel along all the backyards and a river on the other side. I was sharing with M about how I used to go rafting with friends and get picked up by parents at the end of the river when I went to Sarah's house who had a neighborhood set up just like this with a path behind the houses next to a river but...THAT MEMORY IS ACTUALLY FROM ONE OF MY OTHER DREAMS.

As we walked along the backyards, we neared a border of WashU, which was a small theme park-like entrance. M's pottery teacher was in line at the entrance but I vaguely recognized him and hid away.  Along WashU's border was the opening to three water slides that led down to campus, and we dipped our fingers into them. M mentioned that he didn't know how to raft (?) since his neighborhood wasn't as close as Sarah's, which didn't actually relate to the waterslides but still. We wrapped around and walked through a quaint London-esque town. M says that Jennifer Lawrence from The Hunger Games will come to WashU because she goes to NYU, and he wants to ask her a question. But I say that she probably won't since she'll be in NYC and that'll be easier for her to work on more movies. And then we walk some more and through a large hall [imagine Hogwarts] that's apart of WashU and wave to a girl standing in a line. M and I sit down at a grand cafeteria. I'm leaning on him and we decide to go get food at the buffet. N and E appear and I feel bad that we separated from them. So bad that I feel sick to my stomach (?) and run away towards M's house. I sprint through campus since his house apparently borders it. Plus, I left my cell phone at his house. I hide along a stone ledge when I see M approaching but in distress. He bumps into one of his neighbors and asks her if she saw me but she didn't. But M has to run to pottery class because he's already late. I'm back on my way to his hous but see N and we chat and draw together on a stone table. I get a message from M saying that he couldn't find me but left my cell phone with someone. He also asks me if I still love him. And of course I do, so I say bye to N to go find M.
And woke up!



I swear I don't take sleeping medication [or any medication slash drugs in general].
Texted this to M within 90 minutes after I woke up.
Who am I.

Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Giddy Face

He's too adorable. Knowledge of this existence courtesy of Ed Sheeran via twitter. 
I fell prey to twitter since I was SOMEHOW the only one in the office without an account.
Not cool. Not cool.

Happenings of the day:
Fixing bugs and setting up a free trial-esque process. And Intern Photo Shoot.

This outfit sums up today's happiness.

*Forever 21 fuschia pleated shell top. Express silver metallic shorts. BCBGeneration orange and brown colorblock wedges. Forever 21 mosaic polygon necklace.*

Finds from my hunts:
Marshalls- wedges.
[those shoes are dominating this blog]


[messy bun.]


hehe.

Monday, June 18, 2012

Wink or No Wink

Self-discovery at work that isn't only work-related:
I friken love mangos.
Cubicles with walls that are too high make me freak. So I need to decorate them.
 The right group of people are hilariously wonderful.
Panera is the watering hole for attractive females. Apparently?
Thinking I can work eight hours straight w/o breaks was a mistake. Breaks are very good.
I love numbers.
Teenage boys can be reckless and gross.
I love 8tracks. Especially this mix that helps me zone in on work and zone out on everything else.
Once you figure out how to live off free meals, you're golden.
And I can't wink. Wuht is this.
Blotched endeavor last week:

my winking break.

Sunday, June 17, 2012

And [love]

Ran errands until dinner time and ended the day with an amazing [coffee oreo] ice cream chat with a far beyond amazing friend. I've been a bit doubtful of myself for a couple of days, and she echoed the voice of reason that I thought I had. It was one of those conversations where two people are on the exact same wavelength, and I could barely keep my eyeballs from bulging out as I yelled "EXACTLY" thirty times over and over again. Thanks for the friendship, Simran. I honestly couldn't have asked for more.    

There was a breeze today and it felt more like spring than summer. I opted for a casual outfit decked out with my mom's hand-me-downs as we swiffered and lugged and erranded.

 
*DKNY City silk patterned button-up. Calvin Klein Jeans shorts. Ecote wooden sandals. brandless stones and metal necklace. American Eagle braided leather belt [which is way too long].*

Cut up my mom's 90's high-waist jeans & found that leather belt while we were spring/summer cleaning!

Ecote sandals are from Urban Outfitters. 

Finds from my hunts:
Mom's closet- button-up & [refurbished] shorts.
Nordstrom Rack- necklace [w/o brand tag].


{found: most favorite patch of grass in the backyard}



 And, of course. Bunches and loads and hoards of thanks and love to the man who doesn't know how to not put family first. 

{"HAPPY DADDY'S DAY"}

Canobie Lake Wonders

Spent all of yesterday at Canobie running, behind Dan, between bumper cars and antique cars. My mom and I chatted about how everything feels different when you're little. Things tend to glow with a vivid happy glow. Looking back, I wish someone would've told me to just love being whatever age it is that I am.
 
{Patches!!} 

We laid down a picnic between the Caterpillar and Mini-Skooter to doze off for a bit and munch on some snacks. And watched dangling feet emerge from crimson-drenched leaves. Odd, since it's not autumn, but it was really really nice. 


Friday, June 15, 2012

[blue] Blazer Fever

I've been wanting to add an additional blazer to my collection of 2 for some time, but waited it out until the summer. And TADA: cobalt blue blazer for a cool $42. 
I'm not actually a rich/opaque blue fan and tend to lean towards red slash orange slash warmer hues in general, but thought I'd give this number a try. Plan on pairing it with some white pants, flowy dresses, and anything else I can find to complement this new color in my wardrobe. 

Did a hour's worth of shopping in my mom's closet tonight too. For the win. Picked up some silk button-ups and suits with 80's shoulder pads that I may modify here and there- those items will be filtering in to future posts. BUT, the treasure hunting conversation almost went like this:

mom --> "Shoulder pads were my THING."
me --> "I guess they can be my thing too..?"
mom --> "YES. Now try this navy one on. And this grey one. With its matching pants [that taper at the bottom just a teeny bit too much]." 
me --> "Oh, yes! I love ginormous shoulder pads. And extremely tapered pants. [meerp]"

I tried to not get blindsided by all the free clothes and "omgvintage...musthave" thoughts, phew, because some power suits are just meant to stay in their dry cleaner garment bags. Hidden away. 
    
*Express cobalt blue blazer. Abercrombie and Fitch loose tee. J. Crew white shorts. Ann Taylor silver metallic skinny belt. Forever 21 jewel floral metals necklace. BCBGeneration orange and brown colorblock wedges.*

The tee is a throwback to middle school.

Finds from my hunts:
Wrentham Outlet- shorts & belt.
Marshalls- wedges. 

 

Thursday, June 14, 2012

Animals Come Out

Mama's got it down! We're shopping partners and rub off on each other in the best possible ways. And today we were also telepathic, both stepping out in animal print. So much love.
 


A friend just shared with me a magical thing. Magical and awesome. Because there exists a world-wide treasure hunt!! It's called "geocaching", and there are locations everywhere. Cannot wait to dig up my first one.

And I chose a shorter skirt since I showed maxis bundles of love yesterday.

*Quintessential leopard print blouse. Zara blood-orange skirt. Etienne Aigner plum leather satchel. Seychelles leather studded wedges. brandless sun&moon pair gold stud earrings.*

Finds from my hunts:
Marshalls- blouse & satchel.
Avalon Exchange- wedges.
Flea market- earrings.

{ah, pearly twin buttons}

{sun&moon equals reason why I fell in love}

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Metallic Tucked Maxi

I am barely BARELY 5'5". But I've developed a new found love for maxis! I think it's because I feel like I'm reaching that threshold where über short minis aren't really okay anymore. At least not on a daily basis. And not in front of professors. Or maybe I'm just being way too sensitive about my age. Either way, maxis are comfy AND I can focus on the nutella and strawberries rather than on solely keeping my legs crossed while on picnics.

*brandless metallic paisley top. Max Studio grey jersey maxi skirt. Monet long gold earrings. 
Ecote wooden sandals.*

Ecote sandals are from Urban Outfitters.

Finds from my hunts:
Marshalls- skirt.
Avalon Exchange- shirt & earrings.
 

 

I had lots of fun with the photo effects.

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Philosophy of the Too Too Wise

There was definitely a period of time that I just bought whatever intrigued me once I got a few Jacksons on hand. No matter if I could actually see myself wearing it besides just when I go parading it around the house was besides the point. If I knew that would be the lowest sale price, and the pattern made me squeal or if the brand was top-notch, I'd grab it.
In. A. Heart. Beat. It was bad.
Let's call that the Naive and Wasteful Times. NAWT.
{aka nawt what to do. ha.}

But over the past couple of years, my mom's formerly nitpicky badgering ways finally got through to me. And now, instead of needing more and more hangers to display the clothes that will probably only ever remain on display, I focus on what I'd wear and love.


I try to keep some sanity in mind:

1. Know what you need but try to hold off on buying it until the off-season. Cause you probably don't NEED it this minute. Or else you'd have it already.

2. But, if you really do need it now...hit up the shops with all the coupons you can muster. Know your style. Because if you need something, don't just grab what looks okay, especially if you may not be getting the best deal.

3. Stop focusing on the brand. Focus on the quality. There is a difference.

4. Being aware of the treads are nice. Being dragged around by the trends are not.

5. If it looks good on you, then it looks good on you. Because you're your harshest critic. Don't worry about what others will think.

6. It's okay to walk out of a store without buying anything. Perfectly okay.

7. Don't forget about what you already own. If anything, they should be valued above the potential buys because they were actually bought. Therefore, they've already passed the test.

Uni-Colorblocking Pinks

Had a day of all blue denim, so why not have a day of all pinks. I've been warming up to this hue recently and embracing the girly girly side of me.

*Sioni pink ruffle pleated shell top. Dalia Collection coral crop pants. Nine West leather wedges. brandless white and gold hoop earrings.*

Finds from my hunts:
Marshalls- top & pants.
Wrentham Outlet- wedges.
Flea market- earrings.

 
{OH HEYYY!}

Monday, June 11, 2012

Denim on Denim

*St. John's Bay denim button up shirt. Hollister jean shorts. Tommy Hilfiger green band sandals. Monet long gold earrings.*

 Finds from my hunts:
Mom's closet- denim shirt. 
Marshalls- sandals.
Avalon Exchange- earrings.


{messy painter & throwback to 8th grade shortshorts}

H-Mart Revisted

It was an eating experience. Therefore, I crown it An Eating Experience. 
Noticed a few searches for the Meow Upside Down post, and doubly noticed that it was limited on information: 


Bought these two trinkets from H-Mart, a foodie's haven that boasts bundles of KoreanslashChinese eats and wares. The mugs were about $7 each, roughly. The fam went on a two, yes TWO hour grocery and sampling craze because food is just shoved at you from every direction.
It's too great.

{scallion pancakes tasting station}
{the maze of a jackfruit}
 
The Load:
{we left with two carts..}

Saturday, June 9, 2012

Bold Daze

*Forever 21 fuschia pleated shell top. Forever 21 dotted print pants. H&M gold flower belt. Franco Sarto cat eyed tortoise sunglasses. Jessica Simpson metal and bead sandals.*

Finds from my hunts:
Marshalls- sandals & sunglasses. 

 

{weeee JUMP LANDING.}

Friday, June 8, 2012

Dud[e]s


Decorated my cubicle with this gem today. Work is getting real.
And the family is still looking good. ^^

Thursday, June 7, 2012

Amphibian-esque

Sprinted outside after work for the pocket of sunlight that appeared! Love love love work (many loves since I'm a bit surprised I get so excited about my corporate position), but it's super splendid getting to be outside. 

*Frenchi black boyfriend blazer. Kenar tiered white lace top. Delia*s Morgan light wash skinny jeans. BCBGeneration orange and brown colorblock wedges. J. Crew charcoal leather clutch. Franco Sarto cat eyed tortoise sunglasses. J. Crew purple jewel statement necklace.*

Finds from my hunts:
Wrentham Outlet- clutch & necklace.
Marshalls- top & wedges & sunglasses.


{yes, I see that nail polish chip. no, I have not fixed it yet. -6.14.2012}

Tuesday, June 5, 2012

"Ho Hey"

This tune single-handedly carried the day. The hazy, rainy day. The reason why I missed the Venus Transit. What is this New England?

Continuing my nesting and thinking up some money-friendly decor. Didn't have to look further than the walls in my room! I pinned up one of my tiny ballerina costume because frankly, it's gorgeous and I can barely fit a thigh into the whole thing. Those outfits usually cost a solid amount, and I almost always grew out of them between one Tooth Fairy visit and the next.    


Monday, June 4, 2012

Two for Hide 'n Seek

rainraingoaway.

Had a surge of "nesting" need. Haven't doodled a blueprint since I was twelve and decided to again right before my eyes rolled inwards last night. SO MUCH FUN. And I've noticed that I enjoy angular rooms and two staircases. For the former, I think it's because they're aesthetically pleasing and dynamic to me? And for the latter, it's definitely because when I was younger, we always played hide and seek at my friend's house, which had two staircases. Completely brought hide and seek to epic level. To epic-ninja level.



Adorable way to text someone you miss them without just texting them.
Face and lip reading for the win:

Saturday, June 2, 2012

Meow Upside Down

 
Most darling little mugs.