Wear sunscreen. Enjoy the power and beauty of your youth.

 
Please, don't just stop at the beginning.

Denise Grünstein

I have been truly lagging with my blog and have yet to show my appreciation for an award I received recently. So thank you Paku from the chicest thing so so much! I advise everyone to check her out. She's an absolute doll, and honestly has the face of a doll as well. :)

I also came across an incredible photographer recently, by the name of Denise Grünstein. Her work is really beautiful and contains a certain romantic, though intense, element to it that I love.

 

currently listening to: darlin' do not fear- brett dennen

Cherry bomb

I don't know if I'm the only one, but I'm definitely looking forward to this movie! At the same time though, I do wish Taylor Momsen would have gotten the role for Cherie Currie, but hey, Dakota Fanning is a good actress. It's just a bit odd as I'm used to her little girl roles. I've been a big fan of Joan Jett since my beginning ventures into rock and roll, so I think you can see why I am looking forward to this.

Dakota Fanning & Kristen Stewart

  The real Joan Jett: 1978
She completely blows my mind.

you taste so good today you'd get love from anyone

I got a call from the camera store today, telling me my prints are ready for pick up. I'm terribly excited. It's my first roll with my Diana f+. I'm not expecting anything good coming out of it, since I basically winged it without learning how to really use it completely. Nonetheless, I am excited. If they don't come out completely horrific, I'll make sure to post a few. These photos are not mine by the way, just wanted to make that clear and not take credit for other people's amazing work.

currently listening to: you really wake up the love in me- the duke spirit

(I do not claim any of the above photos as my own.)

merci

I'll start off by saying thank you all for the supportive comments on my headbands! I think once I've made more and really gotten the hang of it, I will definitely take into consideration your suggestions to start up my own Etsy Shop.

"After all these years, I am still involved in the process of self-discovery. It's better to explore life and make mistakes than to play it safe. Mistakes are part of the dues one pays for a full life."

-Sophia Loren

Thanks again you guys! Your comments mean tons to me. :)

currently listening to: you alone- dawn landes

golden love

I'm on a bit of a role with this headband making. I actually really like how this one came out!

This one I simply used a thick black elastic band and sewed on the netting that I spray painted gold and a white flower I found.

Here's how it came out:

This horrible picture quality is really bothering me.

I haven't done an outfit post in a while, so this webcam shot I suppose will have to do. It's odd to think that I've never worn shorts with tights before this. I ended up quite liking it.

sweater- forever21, shorts- h&m, sheer tights- urban outfitters, heels- steve madden

And I have to ask, has anyone ever had the feeling where they try something on again after a long time and it makes you extremely happy because it suddenly seems to fit you so much better? That happened to me today! I had these shorts stashed away that I don't believe I've worn for probably a year really, and they fit me so much better! I love that. haha 

currently listening to: poor boy- mechanical bride

I'm not much a purse type of girl.

Okay, well, maybe I am, but when I  saw this, I can honestly say I could easily switch to being a suitcase type of girl.

Palmer & Sons Leather Suitcase No 03 XXS

This is a Palmer & Sons design. I actually found all their designs to be very much attractive. Though they are a tad bit pricey, they are all genuine leather which is also customizable.

Besides this, can anyone help me get a job? Please? :)

currently listening to: lust - the ravonettes

 

Zac Posen for Target

I don't find myself to be much of a label follower in any sense, but I did come across this Zac Posen for Target collection in the U.S. that will be coming out around April 25th that I thought I would share with you all. These are just a few of the looks that I liked from the collection, though otherwise, I have to say I was not quite that impressed. I personally preferred the Rodarte collection, but that's just me.

What's your take on it?

currently listening to: last day of magic- the kills

Lace head wrap

You can look at this post as a bit of a follow up to my mentioning of my new-found obsession with hair accessories. I actually followed through for once and did a little DIY.  A lace head wrap with a bow!

Since I am lacking a camera, I had to resort to my webcam camera. So, sorry for the poor quality in advance.

What I used:

• lace
• elastic band
• matching thread
  

 I cut a small piece of the elastic band and measured out the length of the piece that i need since the lace wasn't already stretchy. I then sewed the ends of  the lace to the elastic band piece. From there I simple made a small band of the lace to cover the sewing and middle where the elastic was located. The tight fit of the band allowed me to slip a piece of the lace which I had sewed together on the ends, to create the bow.

This is how it came out:

 

 So there you go. :) I think I'm going to go make some other variations now. I like to think I'm not being too anti-productive since school hasn't started yet and still haven't been able to get a job.

Have a great day!

currently listening to: but a memory- aly tadros

Lovely days

So some good news for the day, I just received an award from the lovely Allegra from It's On With Allegra B.J

I thought it was awfully sweet of her, as I find her blog so much more glorious than my one. I would definitely recommend anyone to go check it out. Much love and thanks!

So now here is my list for some who I feel truly deserve this award:

Jen from jennifhsieh

Andrea K. from blonde bedhead (I just recently found her blog, but can't get enough of it now!)

Delightfully Tacky

Court from Hippie, Hiking, and High Fives

Erika from Cafe Fashionista

Kristania from monochromachic

Sara from She is Sara

Erika from Practical Princess

The Stylish Wanderer 

Rachel from Static Electi-city

Bonnie from Flashes of Style

You all are amazing :)

The rules of this award are as follows:

1. To accept the award, you must post it on your blog with the name of the person who has granted you the award, and a link to their blog.

2. Pass the award on to approximately 15 other blogs that you recently discovered, and think are great!

3. Contact the bloggers to let them know they have been chosen for this award.

Hope everyone has a lovely day!

currently listening to:  sally all my days- alyse black

did you get the real good ones

I have become increasingly obsessed with headbands and other hair accessories. Particularly bows. I love bows! I'm really feeling a diy coming on.

1. Forever21- $3.80 2. Forever21-$4.80 3. Forever21- $4.80

Here are some fantastic examples I've come across also:

currently listening to: good ones- the kills

Aly Tadros & Douglas Jay Boyd

This past Friday, I ended up going to watch a music act with my boyfriend at the Gypsy Den cafe. It was extremely lovely, and I was so glad that he enjoyed it. Ah, how I wish I would have had a camera with me at the time.

On top of that though, the performance by these two blew me away. Far more than anticipated. Aly Tadros and Douglas Jay Boyd. The played such a charming, passionate performance. It was terrific.

They are both traveling from Austin, Texas, with no fancy bus, just themselves. It was funny because throughout their performance, they kept mentioning how the gas is very expensive and California and that any of our donations would go straight to that. All in a humorous manner of course. They were so down to earth and friendly, it would be tremendously difficult not to take a liking to them.

Though this is from a little while back, this is what their performance looked like.

I really recommend anyone to check them out. They are two extremely talented people who definitely deserve the hype. After watching them on Friday, I just had to get both cd's. I have been listening to them endlessly since then!

Aly Tadros

Douglas Jay Boyd

Sharing different heartbeats

Recently, I came across albums and albums full of old pictures stashed away in a closet in the house. I just had to crack them open and take a look. There was so many, but I had a definite bias out of all of them. One of the last I stumbled upon was my grandmother's from her teen years, mainly from the year, 1969. The photos were just stunning!

This photo was my absolute favorite! The two lovely people here are actually my grandma and grandma. They both look so ridiculously charming.

I had to include this one! My grandma's outfit was just too stunning. I love the ruffles. I really believe this liking for fashion runs in the blood.

Goodness, this photo is just another one that I adored instantly. I mean, how cool does he look?!

This one really inspired me fashion-wise. My goal one of these days is to make a dress that resembles the one she is wearing here.

This one shows my grandmother with one of her sisters (the one on the very right), and a couple of their friends. To me, my grandmother's dress just stood out to me. Now I'm simply aching for something that looks like it. If only she had kept some of her dresses! They would definitely be getting some good use these days also.

I wish I could have included the entire album! but since that's not quite practical, these favorite of mine will have to do.

So my question today would have to be, what is your favorite era- fashion or otherwise?

currently listening to: heartbeats- jose gonzalez

i must say goodbye to thee

Well it doesn't seem as if I'll have much of my own photos up anytime soon, since my camera refuses to work.

I've been having issues with it for a while, especially since it is quite old and has a had a good share of use. It's a cheap little thing anyways, but always did the job. This is really forcing me to save up for a new one now. How depressing though. I had so many intentions for that camera in the near future.

Any suggestions or preferences as far as cameras? What camera do you use?

currently listening to: clean- pete yorn & scarlett johansson

these memories

My friend, Brenda,  finally sent me the pictures I had taken with her camera from her birthday a few weeks ago. :)

For her birthday we decided to go to open mic night at the Gypsy Den, and I have to say, it was a wonderful experience! All of those who performed were truly amazing. SO much talent! The accompaniment of some delicious cheesecake and a hot mocha definitely made it even better, along with our extensive catching up and random talking between each act.

They Gypsy Den has to be one of my favorite places. It has such a comfortable, warm atmosphere and it's simply glorious inside. Plus, the food and whatever else you may order to your heart's desire is fantastic! You can't go wrong with it. I sound like an advertisement for the place right now, but that's not my intention. I just really like it. The open mic nights and other occasional performances are always lovely to sit through while sipping your coffee.

Of all the performances that night though, I loved the one shown in this picture. I had recorded a part of it, but my friend was unable to send it to me because the file was too big. As soon as I get it though, I'll make sure to post it! I think what made it so much more lovely was the fact that they were engaged doing this duet together. It was so sweet. :)

 So I have to say, if you're ever in the area down in southern California, I would definitely recommend to take the time to make a stop at this place. And if you would like someone to accompany you, I would be more than happy to be that person. :)

For more info go to their website: Gypsy Den Cafe

currently listening to: thank you for the love- ashlee morton

(I specifically posted this song because this lovely singer will actually be performing at the Gypsy Den this Friday and I can't help but love her voice.)

Who says I can't be free

I've come to realize that I'm an absolute failure at planning. I have been wanting to do something special with my boyfriend for a while, and have had ever intention of figuring something out, but either I overload on brainstorming and never figure it out, or I simply just don't follow through. It's horrible. Today I was supposed to have everything planned out as I said I would with a picnic at the least. When I opened the fridge this morning to find it almost barren of food that was able to be prepared for such, it was a definite disappointment. There wasn't even bread! So, despite my failure of preparation, we decided on a trip to the park, without the company of food.

  

 It really was a beautiful day, in more ways than one. The park used to be a frequent for us before we were split up due to college, as he moved up to Hayward, and I remained miles and miles away still in Southern California.

 

 It was always so peaceful. We would just lie on that blanket together, without a care on our minds, as it was all clear, we had all we needed right there. It was quite nice to return to that today after such long leave. It's just one of those things that makes you appreciate the little things that tend to be forgotten amongst our busy lives. It also brings back just so many memories.

So here's my question for you, what has been the best date you have ever been on and what did you do?

 currently listening to: who says - john mayer

over and over again

More job searching today. My days seem to have become a bit repetitive with this endless search. To fit the occasion, I decided I would go with something simple today.

I have not really been one for brown, especially recently. These riding boots I got at forever21definitely changed my mind about that.They seem to go with so much and are also more wearable than my high heeled boots are at times.

The track & field coach from the college I'm going to called me back today saying to come to practice when I had the chance. Frankly, I'm terribly worried, and also terribly out of shape.

I don't have much to say today. I woke up not being able to find my mind. I believe I lost it.

Currently listening to: coconut- the sea and cake