faux skirts

I've decided that I'm very much a dresses and skirts kind of girl.  Don't get me wrong, I definitely wear pants, but I love the easy freeness of throwing on a dress or the flowiness of a skirt.  Lately, I've been into wearing faux skirts, as in wearing something over a dress so that it looks like a skirt.

sweater, dress- forever 21, tights, shoes- target

black cardigan, red sweater, dress- forever 21, tights, shoes- target

I was looking up thrift stores in town because I haven't yet done any thrifting since I've been home and apparently there's this great consignment/antique store downtown.  I definitely plan to check it out today or tomorrow!

Also, I started a new knitting project, a late Christmas present for my godmother.  It's a red ruffley scarf (I'll put up pictures when I'm finished) and hopefully I can finish it soon so I can give it to her before the new year!  Do you guys have any late Christmas presents that you haven't yet given to the giftee?

casual pants sunday

First of all, I'd like to share that - woot!  It's finally sunny here!  When I'm lounging around on the weekend, I don't usually get too fussy with my outfits and I throw on a casual top and pants.  Then if I need to run out and grab something, I just put on some shoes and I'm ready to go!

cardigan, top (underneath), necklace, shoes- forever 21, jeggings- plato's closet

top- plato's closet, pants- forever 21, boots- GoJane

Christmas yesterday was very chill and enjoyable.  My brothers woke me up (as usual), we opened presents, lounged about, stuffed our faces, and watched movies.  I think I was successful with my gifts this year.  I gave my mom and dad a photo calendar with pictures of our family in the various months,  I gave my sister a beginner knitter's "survival kit" because she has just taken up knitting (which I'm really excited about!) and I gave my brothers one of those videocameras like the Flip.  They all seemed to really like their presents, which made me happy.  :)  I want to hear all about your Christmas!  How did you spend the day?

Also, update on the Forever 21 nail polish that I mentioned a couple posts ago.  I've had it on my nails since Wednesday and it has barely chipped (this is without even doing any touch-ups with a top coat).  There are only little tiny chips at the top of the nail, which you don't even really notice unless you are looking for them, and one tiny chip on my index finger.  So far, it is holding up really well, much better than the $1 nail polish that I'm used to!

happy holidays

horsing around with my best friend last Christmas

I hope you all have an absolutely wonderful Christmas!

gray days

Continuing my series of old outfits, these two outfits are really weather appropriate in the sense that all the gray matches the sky outside.  It still hasn't stopped raining here.

cardigan, grey dress, braided belt, tights- forever 21, sweater dress- rave, boots- thom brown, flats- target

Also, I bought a new nail polish from Forever 21.  I don't know about the quality yet because this is my first time using one of their polishes, but I love the color.  It is a deep green, like a forest green.

Yesterday, I got a chance to see Black Swan and I loved it!  I know I've seen a good movie when the movie ends and they turn the lights back on and I'm a bit dazed because I was so engrossed in the movie and it takes me a second to remember where I am.  From the costumes to the music to the plot, I thought it was well worth the $5 bucks I paid.  I say, go see it if you haven't already!

Tonight I'm going to a mini-reunion with some of my friends from high school.  I'm still close with my good friend who organized the get-together, but I haven't seen or spoken to most of the other guys since we graduated, which was more than 3 years ago!  I'm just hoping it won't be too awkward...

My First Giveaway!- WINNER

The winner of my first giveaway, chosen by random.org, is Rosie!

Thank you so much to all those who entered and never fear if you didn't win this time because there will be more giveaways in the future!  And congratulations again to Rosie!

thrift store finds

Due to the crappy weather, I haven't really had a chance to take some new outfit pictures, so I'm going to be posting a few old outfits over the next few days.  These are a couple of outfits I wore incorporating purchases from my most recent trip to the thrift store.

skirt, sweater- thrifted from Savers, belt- Forever 21, boots- Urban Original

This skirt hit me at a really awkward length for some reason, so I just hiked it and pinned it in the back so that I could wear it higher up on my waist.  Also, this sweater is so cozy and was less than $4!  Savers has definitely been my favorite place to stock up on sweaters this winter. 

cardigan- thrifted from Savers, tee and pants- forever 21, flats- Target

Recognize those pants from yesterday?  Well I love the combination of this dark brown and the burgundy pants.  A few years ago, I never would have worn colored pants and now these have become one of my favorite pair of pants!  My next colored pants purchase will either be a green or a dark purple!  Since I've been home, I haven't yet had a chance to go thrifting, but I'll probably check out the local Goodwill and Salvo sometime after Christmas.

I'm going to see Black Swan tonight- I'm so excited!  It has been so long since I saw a movie in theaters and I've heard such good things about this one.  Also, one of the theaters in town has started doing this deal called 'Value Tuesdays' where movies are $5 all day on Tuesdays!  I definitely wanted to take advantage of the discount since movies have become so expensive these days!  What movies have you guys watched recently?

rainy holiday

The constant rain and severe flooding in my hometown have been dampening my Christmas spirit.  On the bright side, most of my friends are back in town so I've been able to hang out with them.  Here's what I wore for a meet-up with one of my good friends:

cardigan, black lace cami (undernath), pants- forever 21, lace tee-
charlotte russe, necklace- RenneLoughlin on etsy, boots- GoJane

I've finally finished all my Christmas shopping (yay!) and now I just have to get all the gifts and cards together and wrap them nicely.  Also, I've vowed to stay away from the mall because I don't want to deal with the crowds and I've already spent way too much money!  What stage are you guys at with your holiday preparations?

last chance!

Today is the last day to enter the giveaway here and win this headband!

This is a quick post because I'm off to make tamales at a friends house, yummm!  New outfit post tomorrow :)

good girl

I love this dress I found at Savers- I think the fit is very flattering plus it's black, so it will go with everything!  I think this is a very 'sweet' outfit, so I wore it to go to lunch with my mom and my godmother.

cardigan, tights, necklace- forever 21, dress- thrifted (Savers), shoes- Target

*All photos taken by my sister Nikki!

For some reason, I'm having trouble getting my Christmas gifts together this year.  I can't figure out what I want to get everyone and the funds are really limited this year.  I'm definitely making some of my gifts, but I am planning to buy some and I want them to be special, of course.  I'm going to go to the store in a bit and hopefully I'll come across something that I just love!  Also, I really wanted to give gifts to my friends back at school (something cute and creative), but I was just too busy with finals and didn't get a chance.  Hopefully next year, I'll get my act together and start all that way in advance!  Also, I'm thinking that by next year, I'll probably have to have a 'Christmas Card List' because maybe I won't be living close enough to just hand-deliver all of my cards.  That feels like such an adult thing to have, a 'Christmas Card List'!  Do any of you guys have one?  Also, one year I'd really like to try and make my cards by hand!  Aaah, too much future talk- Christmas hasn't even come yet this year and I'm getting ahead of myself!

Also, I just cannot get enough of this song- I've been listening to it on repeat for days! What do you think?



Thanks to all those who have entered my giveaway and you can still do so here if you haven't already! =)

Let's Go!: Reveal #3- My First Giveaway! CLOSED

Hint #3 ('bows') was very literal- I'm so excited to offer my very first giveaway: this headband!

handknit using a pattern from Ravelry

I just wanted to thank you guys for reading and following this blog!  It is so much fun reading your comments and suggestions and I really appreciate each and every one, so this is my way of saying thank you!  Plus, in the spirit of the holidays, I wanted to give out a gift anyways!  The rules are very simple (see below) and this giveaway will be open until Sunday, December 19th at midnight PST.  This giveaway is open to all readers and the winner will be contacted on the Monday after.  Thanks for entering!

Rules (for one entry):

1. Become a follower of this blog through Google Friend Connect and leave a comment letting me know you've done so.  
2. Leave an email address so that I can contact you.
3. Tell me who is your favorite person to give a gift to and why.

Bonus Entries

1. Follow this blog on bloglovin' and leave another comment. +1 bonus entry
2. Mention this giveaway on your blog and leave a link to the post in the comments. +1 bonus entry

Let's Go!: Reveal #2

Remember hint #2- "I whip my hair back and forth!"

I couldn't resist! =)

Well I was actually referring to a new hairdo!

                                          old                                                              new

I felt it was time to switch up my hair and my sister helped me do it.  It is really different for me to have these side-swept bangs, so I'm still getting used to having all this hair in my face.  I also finished up my latest knitting project- this vest that I titled Sapphire Silk (for the knitters out there, you find the pattern here on Ravelry and my project page here).  I love how vibrant the color is and I thought these delicate little silver buttons were perfect for this vest.

 
Here's the rest of the outfit I wore, including these leather shorts that my sister bought for me and my new suede wedges that I bought online on Black Friday.

cardigan, tank, heart tights, shorts- Forever 21, vest- handknitted, wedges- Urban Original

*All of these pictures were taken by my sister, Nikki!

You might notice the fact that the pictures look a little different- this is my first outdoor setting!  Since I'm home, I can count on my lovely sister to take the pictures, so I'm going to take advantage of that as long as I can!  Thank you so much for all the sweet comments about yesterday's post and for sticking with me through these changes.  Please let me know if you're having any trouble with the new comment system and look out tomorrow for my first giveaway!

P.S. I entered this outfit into the Winter Wonderland Contest on Chictopia if you feel inclined to read my little story and perhaps vote for me! :)

Let's Go!: Reveal #1

Remember hint #2- "sleeker and chicer"?  Well here's what I was talking about:

new phone case

new computer decals

old

new

new blog layout

I've also added Disqus because I think it is a better format for comments.  I love reading each and every comment and this way it will be much easier to reply directly to comments.  I've been really excited to reveal these changes to you guys- tell me what you think in the comments!  Also, look out tomorrow for another reveal and Wednesday for the giveaway!

free wi-fi on a long plane ride is awesome

As I'm sitting on a six-hour fight from JFK to LAX, I can't get over the fact that I can use the internet on the plane for free!  Three things I love about flying with Virgin: free wi-fi, reasonable prices, and 70 (not 50!) pound weight limit!

Here's an outfit that I wore a while ago but forgot to post.  Cardigan + dress + tights + boots is pretty much my go-to outfit these days because it is so easy to throw together.  Also, everytime I wear these booties I love them more and more and I've decided they are perfect for day and night.

cardigan and tights- forever 21, dress- American Eagle, boots- Target

As I was packing for this trip, I was thinking a lot about what I wear when I'm at home.  A few of you guys have asked where I'm from- the answer is Bakersfield, CA.  Now Bakersfield isn't a tiny city (more than 300,000 people), but it is certainly not the fashion capital of anything.  When I go home, I feel that I sort of tone down my outfits.  There are outfits that I wear at school that I definitely wouldn't wear at home and when I try to come up with a reason why this is the case, I can't think of a good one.  I don't know, maybe I feel that people will think I'm trying too hard if I want to try something new or creative with my style.  Then, as I thought some more about it, I've decided that it doesn't matter.  I should feel comfortable wearing whatever outfit I want to wear, wherever I am, so this is what I'm going to try to do while I'm home.  Hopefully, I'll begin to feel a lot less self-conscious.  Do you guys ever feel that you have to dress a certain way when you're in a certain place?

Thank you guys so much for putting me over 50 followers!  I'm going to spend the weekend responding to all of your lovely comments and when you tune in again on Monday, you'll get to experience all those exciting things that I've been mentioning!  Three hints: "I whip my hair back and forth!," sleeker and chicer (that's probably not a word), and bows.   Interpret as you will ;)

going to a happy place

The view from my window-

Granada, Spain

I wish!! Nope, this picture was taken looking out from a window in La Alhambra.  I want to be there again, instead of stuck here in my dorm room writing a long paper.  On the bright side, in less than three days, I will be on a plane to (hopefully) sunny California!  Also, those exciting things that I mentioned in an earlier post, including a new look (I won't tell you just yet what exactly is getting a new look ;D) and my first giveaway when I reach 50 followers, are ever closer!  I'm only 2 followers away! Yay! =)  Speaking of giveaways, check out this one on The Licentiate with some fun prizes!

holiday cheer

Perhaps my favorite Christmas song- and who doesn't love Frank?!

Less than a week until I get to go home!