California Girl

I am really a California Girl at heart. Even though my clothing often reflects different ideas, I often find myself gravitating towards tee shirts with hibiscus, beachy colours, flip flops, and beat up jeans. I love Pacific Sunwear and I love Hollister. Hollister is like paradise because it always smells like surf and coconut, everything is available in ridiculously small sizes, they choose beautiful jewel tones, the store is like a beach shack with a live ocean view on a screen like a window (although this isn't very exciting after dark), and beautiful moody lighting. These are probably all the exact reasons why everyone else hates Hollister. But I love the place. I need to get a bottle of whatever they spray around. I wouldn't mind my room smelling like Hollister. (Yeah, my friends are never coming over again. I get it.)

Sooo lately I've been doing some beachy shopping. (Because summer is coming! (And there are sales...))
(Yeah this is what single people who aren't in school do. Take random self photo shoots and make mediocre collages with a ridiculously powerful image editor.)

Most of the clothes above are Tilt (which got bought out by Bullhead, I think?), Nollie (the v-neck tees. I love them! They were recently on sale for $2.99 if you can still find them.), Kirra, and Hollister. Everything else was found in my clothing drawers already. Accessories probably came from Claire's or Forever 21 at some point, with the exception of some Steve Madden sunglasses. I really dig the latest trend of bright, bright colours. I love colours!

Adventures with Seth Premiere

The other night I went to the premiere of an independent web serial, Adventures with Seth. I had done a little extra work for it, and my boyfriend helped work on the sound recording. It was at the Four Star Theatre on Geary, and a lot of fun. I suggest everyone go watch Episode *ahem* Chapter 1 on the website. (Link Above.) I got to see Chapter 2 as well, because I'm really cool... But it will be up next month for everyone else. So here are pictures of what I wore and stuffs....

With the boy. I got this dress at Ross for probably $18 for the formal Christmas party we threw a year ago. It's amazing for the price. I also wore my pashmina scarf that I got from the Something Store, my grey leather Michael Kors bag, and an unsigned brooch and earring set that was in my collection of vintage costume jewelry. I never ever hardly have reason to wear costume jewelry, so that was fun.
I actually sort of got my hair to curl too! Because somewhere along the line I got a curling iron that works. Of course the only bit of hair long enough to really curl is the chunk up in front. *le sigh*
The back, I now realize I didn't line the ruching up....
And my make-up continued with my new bronzed face enthusiasm. As my boyfriend pointed out, the pictures don't show it well because the flash washes everything out...but oh well. This time I used Maybelline ExpertWear shadow in "Vanilla" and "Urban Brown", Sonia Kashuk Beautifying Blush in "Papaya", and Sonia Kashuk Lip Palette in "Shimmering Sorbets". For bronzer I used Physicians Formula Summer Eclipse in "Sunlight". I chose the lip palette and blush because they are the same shades as in the Sonia Kashuk Bronzed Face kit, but full size. I like this blush better than the one I used last time because it has a little more of a terra cotta color and no shimmer. I also like this bronzer better since it has smaller particles than the other one. I think this shall be my new make-up ritual for a bit at least...

New House- New Make Up Look

So I am done moving. The last time for awhile hopefully. My room isn't quite in order, but everything is cleaned up enough to get back to work. So- I was reading Life and Style ('cause I can, don't judge) and they were forecasting metallic brown eyes as the hot Spring trend. Which got me thinking about being bronzed and sun kissed and all that jazz. So I decided to change up my makeup to be a little beach-ier.
I used my Physician's Formula Shimmer Strips Bronzer in "Vegas Strip". The blush and brown metallic shadow I used came from an older Elizabeth Arden compact that someone gave me when they got it free as a Macy's gift. (It was pretty much my first real make-up ever.) For highlighting under the brow and the corner of the eyes I used Maybelline expertwear shadow in "Vanilla". A little bit of Rimmel Exaggerate liner in "Pine" under the eyes, and some Jordana lipgloss in "Be Coralful".
I like how it came out and people at work even asked if I had been tanning! Excuse the funny look on my face. I was on the way to work...

Getting off to a new start!

Whooo.... I haven't written a post in over a month. Thats pretty bad! But thing are looking up for this blog. I am graduating this semester! I am done with schoolwork until I decide to go to graduate school. It was also my birthday yesterday, and I am moving to a real house in the first week of January. I feel like its a whole new start! So anyways...until I get going and posting real things....

Here are a few outfit posts.

I got my hair done all crazy... (At the SF Institute of Esthetics and Cosmetology). Top is Juicy Couture, Skirt is from Urban Outfitters (not sure of brand), Tights are from Ross, Booties are Bamboo. I love gray still!Before I got my hair cut, after I dyed it all crazy. The dress is from the Mervyn's closing sale. I got it for my first Afro-Cuban Jazz concert at school. I had these really awesome Steve Madden booties too. But I'm sure you'll see them later!

Fall to Winter Prep for Less

So a look I've been really into lately is preppy, taking notes from vintage looks and school uniforms. I know with our economy its hard to buy new things, so I've found some options for getting this look for less. Many of these items might already be in your closet!
1. Cardigans. I love this Fab Stripe Trim Cardi from Forever 21. Four different choices in color for only $13.50. I love the navy blue and the touch of muted yellow.
2. Again from Forever 21, I am constantly singing the praises of these Lindsey Skinny Jeans. They are only $12.50 and fit surprisingly well. I have 4 pairs and my favorites are the dark denim (shown here) and gray (in stores only).
3. These wedge loafers from CutesyGirl are by Bamboo, a brand I have good luck with, for the low price of $9.99. They come in four different and fun color combinations.
4. These Forever 21 glasses add a girly yet studious edge. They're only $7.80.
5. I really dig these Forever 21 lucite glasses for $4.80. They remind me of some glasses my mom has from the 80s.
6. A great basic and bottom layer, this Mossimo v-neck tee in white is only $7.99 at Target. I originally bought one because it is a stand-by for modeling work, now it is my wardrobe stand-by.

I am really liking more low-key colors for fall and winter, but I think you could do this look with some brighter colors and it would be super fun. The nice thing about it is it can be really simple and minimal accessories will work well. I think some other ideas to explore would be scarves, messenger bags, and corduroy. Maybe thats another post!