Trimmed to the Truth

December 6, 2013

 Thanks to an amazing, hardworking young lady who I am so proud to call my friend, I was able to give my hair some tender loving care. I decided that if I wanted to grow out my hair, I had to treat my hair with some respect. So I knew it was time for a trim. After not cutting it for two and a half years, this grown out pixie cut needed to get its dead ends removed. 

Thank you D.C. for the trim! It was a lovely way to just catch up with you, since I know you're a busy bee.

Top: Forever 21 || Vest: thrifted || Scarf: H&M 

I almost changed my mind last minute to not go because the gloomy, bone-chilling weather was not at all welcoming or fit for a night out. However, I decided to just go with it because I haven't seen her in a while and we haven't had a one-on-one girl talk session in ages. 

Definitely the best decision. This night was exactly what I needed before finals. 

We did some catching up as she picked me up from my apartment and she trimmed my hair. The usual: how our classes are going, how we've been keeping busy with our extracurriculars, "juicy/scandalous" subjects, and so on. 

Before we went out, she decided to twin with me, so she threw on her own denim top, scarf, and trapper hat. We definitely looked adorbs as we walked into the restaurant. 

Since she already ate before we left, we shared calamari and a plate of pad thai, Lady and the Tramp  style (well not EXACTLY in that manner). Then poured our souls out to each other and exchanged life advice to soothe our minds. And of course giggles and laughs were sprinkled throughout our deep conversations. 

After chatting with her, I remembered how much inspiration I get from the empowering leaders I've witnessed on campus (including her), who are even more inspiring to me because they are females of color. They never get enough credit, as much as their male counterparts. Despite the fire and passion they have for what they fight for, many people do not seem to notice. But I have and I will continue to do so, and hope that others begin to take notice of underrated leaders in their own communities. 

Take some time out of your life, no more than five minutes, to think about someone you have found to be inspiring to you, or a quality of someone's that you find admirable. Then go thank that person and show how much you appreciate them. Call, text, Facebook message, write a letter. Just reach out and let them know your appreciation for their existence and hard work. It's more than likely they will appreciate this token of gratitude, because that is what they've hoped to do: to have hopefully reached out and touched one person through their activism. 

My good friend who graciously trimmed my hair, despite her incredibly packed and busy schedule, is one of those strong, hard working, caring, wonderful, and "feisty" individuals that I've come to look up to. I am extremely blessed to have met her and to be considered her friend. Love you Pseudo/Honorary Big!

And to really make this an official Girls' Night Out, we had to purchase ice cream and cookies after dinner. 

Proportions

Top: H&M

Pink cami: Forever 21

Body con indigo skirt: Cotton On

Gladiator sandals (not shown): Nordstrom

Leather messenger bag (not shown): Fossil

Necklace (gift): Juicy Couture

Played up my proportions today; skin tight on the bottom while flowy and loose up top. The weather has definitely been improving around here. The sun isn't scorching my skin so there is no need to slather on layers of sunblock. Excited for the cooler weather coming this way! Look out for how I style up my sweaters and collection of scarves!

First Day

 Top: Bayo (Philippines)

Jeans: Kohls

Sneakers (not shown): Forever 21

White knit cardigan (not shown): vintage

Just came back from the first class of the school year! I was all ready to go and prepared, thinking I would learn something important, but it turned out that no T.A. or professor came by. I woke up at 6:30 am for that? It probably was due to the fact that it was a discussion, not a lecture, and that no one was assigned to teach the class yet. But fortunately, I made two new friends today! As I sat in the class with forty four other students, I could tell I would enjoy being around them. Next class is in a couple of hours. Hopefully I will actually learn something. Coming to this university, I wasn't too sure of what to expect. However, despite the inevitable stress of midterms and finals, I'm excited to learn, meet new people, get out of my comfort zone, and just have fun. 

Graphic

Graphic T-shirt: SM (Philippines)

Denim shorts: American Eagle Outfitters

Shoes (not shown): Vans

Purse (not shown): Old Navy

Today was a too-hot-shirt-and-shorts-bun kind of day. Got around the campus to get to know my classes. Hopefully when classes DO start, I know my way around already. Went with a casual look to stay comfortable but presentable while biking around. A bun keeps the look casual, but put together. 

And yes, each student gets a wardrobe for her clothes (surprisingly, it fit all my clothes and more). Thankfully a full body mirror is included in the room; didn't want to lug that around on move in day.

Lace and Knits

Beige knit cardigan: Old Navy

Sheer blouse: gifted (Philippines)

Jeans: American Eagle Outfitters

Necklace: Flea market

Ring: Forever 21

Ear cuff: Icing

Bracelet: gifted (Bahamas)

Fedora: Cotton On

The day before I leave for college, I get to party it up with great family friends. It is still so surreal to hear that I will be leaving in less than twenty four hours. I will definitely use technology and the famous social networking sites to my advantage. University, I'm ready for you! Sad to leave the teen-hood and into the beginning of a LOT of responsibility. 

Kaleidoscope Vision

Romper: SM (Philippines)

Graphic T-shirt: Forever 21

Bracelet: Bahamas (gifted)

Going out for one last hurrah with the gang. I am so blessed to have met these wonderful people in high school, it will definitely be exciting to see where they end up in the future. Who knows, in 4-8 years you'll probably see future posts of me attending movie premieres with my famous actor friend or getting free checkups from my doctor buddies. I am so proud of what they have accomplished these past 4 years and will root for them to stay focused on their goals in the future. In the meantime, I'm hungrily anticipating our dinner and movie night in two hours!

Simply

Top: Old Navy

Tank top: Aeropostale

Cardigan (not shown): vintage

Jeans: Pac Sun

Starting to get the hang of this blogging thing, hopefully I'll continue with consistent posts while school is in session! The weather has gotten colder in the mornings, so had on a gray knit cardigan earlier. Last winter, got lazy and just threw on hoodies or sweaters and some jeans. Senioritis hit me pretty badly in the fashion department. This year, I think keeping a blog will motivate me to get creative with my outfits. I can't wait to bring out all my knits and sweaters: fall/winter, bring it on.

Packed Up

(From top to bottom, left to right: )

Denim vest: gift  

Cream & brown diamond-patterned vest: vintage 

Basic white T-shirt: American Eagle Outfitters 

White graphic tank top: Artwork (Philippines)

Blue graphic T-shirt: H&M 

Yellow floral spaghetti-strap top: Aeropostale 

Nude  flowy crop top: H&M 

Black sheer crop top: H&M 

Coral blouse: Bayo (Philippines)

Gray muscle T-shirt: Forever 21 

Pink & white striped top: Aeropostale

Blue & white striped top: H&M

What you don't see are the layers of cardigans and sweaters underneath the rolled up tops. Packing for college (leaving in 5 days!) has got me excited for the new people, different experiences, and chances to experiment with my clothes. Rolled up my tops to keep them crease free! The left side of my suitcase is filled with my PJ bottoms, PJ shirts, sweats, and sweaters. Got another smaller suitcase with my undergarments, socks, beddings, towels, and belts. I still have so much left to pack, but the parents don't want me to pack EVERYTHING just yet (to keep me coming back and pick up more stuff)! I guess I'm lucky I only live no more than 2 hours away from the university. Watch out for future blog posts to see how I style my clothes for college.

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Gifted

Dresses and shorts: assorted stalls from the divisoria in the Philippines

The awaited gifts from my titas all the way from the Philippines finally arrived! Thank you! I only expected at most one to two pairs of scalloped shorts, and ended up receiving so much more! 

(From left to right): (1) Love the bright red color and the fit of the red dress. It is form-fitting and very flattering on my petite frame. (2) The doily-like lace detailing on the hem of the white scalloped shorts are amazing. The pleats that come right below the belt are a cute little detail as well. (3)The black and white tunic top with lace detailing falls on my body so smoothly. I have been looking for a dress or top that has these mini pleats that go all around the bodice. Finally in my possession. (4) As I twirled around while trying on the white dress with earth-toned polka dots, I felt like I was the hostess at a fancy soiree ready to entertain my guests. Actually, wearing any of these girly items remind me also of the outfits the leading lady in a Korean drama would wear, 'em I right? (5) Needed a basic pair of khaki shorts, and the subtle scalloped cut on the bottom adds a formal and feminine touch to an otherwise plain pair of shorts.

Seeing Stars

T-shirt: Forever 21 

Denim shorts: Abercrombie & Fitch 

Circle sunglasses: H&M 

Black skinny belt: Forever 21

Lucky for me, I am still able to enjoy the benefits of the hot summer sun with this muscle tee and short shorts. Don't get me wrong, I'm definitely excited to break out my fall/winter wardrobe. Can't wait to cozy up in my thick knits, beanies, and pull out my boots and scarves! For now, I'll be lazily pulling on shorts and a basic tee once college starts. 

The college life does excite me. The idea of being in a pool of completely different people that you haven't grown up with, encountering new personalities and attitudes, discovering fashion styles from all over the state, even country, will greatly influence me and my own style. I wonder how my current sense of style will evolve in four years...