Onward, march...

Sorry I've been so MIA the past few weeks. I recently completed my junior year in college and have been mostly decompressing from a really intense semester. Being away from my blog, and finalizing this academic year, have really got me thinking about the future- who I want to be, where I want to go, and what is important to me, and more importantly what makes me happy. It's always crazy and surreal to think about the future, and sometimes, I really don't feel ready for it yet. What if I'm not enough? What if I don't have the ability to make my dreams my reality? I'm a planner, you see. And I'm determined. But sometimes, effort can go unnoticed, or things slip through the cracks. I try, however, not to think about such nonsense. I need to constantly remember I am able and willing, and driven, and therefore I hold the key to my future. I have to keep myself balanced and remind myself how everything can count. Then, I fell upon some very necessary advice that I felt I wanted to document and share. If all we want in life is to be happy, why do we have such a hard time achieving it? It's more than doing what you love, it's your attitude, your behavior, the people you surround yourself with, what you invest your time and heart into that all contribute to a beautiful life. I could write so much more about what I have learned and what beliefs are, but, instead, I will let you be inspired by the women that inspired me. I know my life is an adventure, and I'm going to make every second count. Let's embrace it.

19 Things To Stop Doing in Your 20s

Overlooked

Fashion Week in Sydney seemed to be pretty much forgotten about. As it isn't at the top of the fashion destination list, most people aren't exposed to what's beyond the top labels in cities like Paris and New York. But for people like us, who are fashion obsessed, seeing alternative and gathering inspiration from all over the globe is critical. Though I'm a little late with the sharing, I wanted to share some of my favorite collections from Australia. This one is especially unique and the perfect musings for our upcoming summer. Camilla is vibrant, playful and luxurious. It's over the top and magical. By mixing prints and textures, the line creates an unbelievable feast for the eye. When I run away and escape to lands of beaches and tropics and an overall almost miraculous setting, Camilla is what I will be wearing. Now if only I could abandon my finals, dawn these garbs, and just relax already...

(Via MBFashionweek.com)

Can't Stop Dreaming...

I've come to terms with the fact that at this point in my life, I am not able to dress the way I'd like to. With all the crazy running around I do, and after all the children I chase, my heels are merely on display in my closet. I swear every time I look at them, the call out, asking, "why do you neglect us?" My uniform these days is some form of denim on the bottom and a t-shirt of sorts. I really don't mind, as it gives me the opportunity to accessorize. But, truthfully, I dream of the days I can really wear an outfit I desire to wear. It seems, however, that accessories are what haunt me. They're so pliable and versatile. Upon stumbling on Style.com's Fall 2013 Accessory Guide, I fell head over heels, (if this wasn't figurative, I would have probably had fallen head first into heels). With over 8,000 items to drool over, this guide goes above and beyond, offering anything a fashionista could ever want. Now, I haven't quite made it through those 8,000 items, as it would take many empty hours I only wish I had, but the pages I viewed, I had to pick up my jaw from off the floor. Here are a few of my favorites. Now, maybe one day, I can actually afford these beauties. 

3.1 Philip Lim

3.1 Phillip Lim

Aquazzura

Aperlai

Aperlai

(TBD)

(Via Style.com)

No Comparison

There is nothing quite as magical as Valentino. Always extraordinarily original, you are able to tell the influence each time without too easily identifying where it comes from. This collection was my absolute favorite for Fall 2013. It was so unique, encapsulating a modern school or church girl. Decked with the honorary white color, Valentino still managed to make this look modern, by laser cutting it and adding intricate details like embroidery. This collection was so firmly Valentino with its luxurious embellishments -each gown so perfectly frames a woman's body, showing just the perfect touches of skin.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
(Via Style.com)

A Week with Warby

A few weeks back, I was contacted by Warby Parker to feature their 5-day Take Home Program. Now, between you and me and the neighbors on the floor below me, I was just a little *wincing* excited. Besides the fact that this is my first feature in collaboration with the actual company, it is also for a product I obsessively collect, as well as a brand I can fully stand behind. 

Warby Parker was created by four close friends to create an alternative for the overpriced and bland eye wear in circulation.  There is no reason why eye wear should be expensive. It is a necessity to many, and therefore prices should be reasonable and affordable. Warby Parker gives those who don't have access to the expensive frames a viable option- providing high-quality, good looking (even fashionable!) prescription eye wear at a lower cost. Besides the actual glasses themselves, my favorite aspect of Warby is that for every pair you purchase means a pair is provided for someone in need (think TOMS). This concept always makes me smile, as someone who loves to shop, it's always nice to know that you're helping others less fortunate and that portion of your rent money (teheh) is going to a better cause than just overflowing your closet. But, truly, it's a wonderful idea, and more companies should participate in such a concept.

So I eagerly awaited the arrival of my box from Warby Parker,  and the moment it landed in my hands, I ripped it open, excited to see my selections in person. I was shocked when I realized how sturdy the frames were and how wonderfully modern each one was. Each of the 5 days, I would fiddle around with them see how they look on me, compare the styles to the others, and pretend like they were my actual prescription glasses. I love glasses, I think they are an amazing accessory and a great way to hide your face in the morning pre make-up regimen. I tend to buy frames with regular lenses just so I have more options to pair with my clothes, since frames are normally so expensive, but upon learning about Warby, I think my collection of actual prescription lenses will grow rapidly. I had so much fun choosing which was my favorite; it was a lot of hard work- staring in the mirror.... Check out the ones I chose below and others at Warby Parker.

Holt, Blue Slate Fade

Marshall, Rum Cherry

Duckworth, Marine Slate

Filmore, Tennessee Whiskey

My number one choice: Winston, Lunar Fade