Happy New Year & Goals for 2018

First off, happy new year everyone! I hope you guys had a great ending to the year and are ready to start fresh. As I've always said, I love the feeling of a clean slate every January and this time is no different. Every day holds the possibility of something extraordinary, so try and make the most of it!

               Wearing // BLANK NYC jacket, Free People bralette, similar camisole, Express jeans,                          similar pumps, Sezane bag

                Beauty // MUFE Ultra HD foundation, NARS orgasm blush, Tarte in bloom palette,

                M.A.C. lips in Ravishing

I wore this during the festivities and really enjoyed the new moto jacket I got during Nordstrom's anniversary sale. I could finally put it to use! It's a bit heavy for California weather, but it gets really chilly at night so it's perfect as a topper to any outfit. And the color! Such a rich caramel shade that brings out the warmth in my features. It's definitely one of my favorite purchases from last year (how weird is it to say that by the way?!)

I don't typically do resolutions, at least not in the formal sense. I think it's a nice sentiment but it also sets people up for failure. Small changes and tweaks as well as setting long-term goals is the most effective way to go about a new year. I like to write mine down so that I can actually visualize what I want to accomplish. Some people also create mood boards and I think I might do that alongside a written list. Here are the areas I want to focus on for 2018:

1) Health: Put my health and wellbeing at the top of my priority list.

2) Relationships: Continue to foster the relationships in my life that are valuable and important to me.

3) Education: I start school again next week, and I want to throw myself into learning all that I can.

4) Finances: Spend less on things, more on memories.

5) Positive Thinking: This will always be SO difficult for me, but worth the constant reminder.

And for the blog:

1) Improved photography: I got a new lens, can you tell the difference? I absolutely can by these pictures!

2) A Set Schedule: Monday-Wednesday seems to be the best option for me but I know blogging three days a week is ideal. I personally don't tend to read blogs on Fridays for some reason, but maybe that's just me.

I'm going to continue plugging along, and I'm really excited to see where the year takes all of us! Dwelling on past mistakes and negative thinking keeps us stagnant but moving forward, even baby steps, is the key to happiness and success. I plan on going more in depth about these goals in the coming weeks so I hope you'll follow along with me. 💋

What are some of your goals/intentions for the new year?

Continue the post

My Favorite Pieces & Posts of 2017

I wasn't going to do a recap of 2017, mainly because I'm super anxious to get started on my goals for 2018. In all honesty, this year was difficult. I battled a lot of personal struggles. But like every year, there were pros and cons...

Pros:
I traveled to Colorado and Ohio.
I went camping and hiking through Zion, the Grand Canyon, Big Sur, and several beaches.
I reconnected with some friends and family.
I continued to record my style, even when I didn't feel very good about myself.

Cons:
Depression, anxiety, self-doubt, laziness.

There were times when I didn't feel the motivation to blog, but I tried my hardest to anyway. I really truly appreciate all of your love, support, and feedback. I wouldn't be able to do this without you and I hope you will continue to stick with me for another (more positive and exciting) year!

Instead of recapping every outfit I wore, I figure I can show you the highlights. Pieces that are my absolute favorites to wear, and that I would buy all over again or would recommend to you.

Little black dress

Polka dots & Millenial pink pumps

Wrap coat

Lace

Distressed jeans

Girly day dress

Classic bag

Now for my favorite posts of the year! Click on each one if you care to go back and read.

Real Talk: The Open Road

Style Tips for Curvy Petites

As Festival Ready as I'll Get

Real Talk: Blogging & Constructive Criticism 

Girls Trip to Hollywood

My Experience with Botox

Birthday Weekend in Big Sur

Zion & the Grand Canyon

And my most discussed blog topic of the year, Real Talk: Coming off Meds. That one was terrifying to write, but also extremely cathartic.

Now, let me ask you this. What would you like to see more or less of on this blog next year? I blog for selfish reasons, but I naturally care what you think! You are my friends and I need your input.

Please let me know in the comments or send me a message! Have a wonderful, safe new year's and I will see you on the flip side next week :)

Continue the post

Real Talk: Style Blogging

Style blogging is a weird thing. I often find myself wondering if reading here and showing you what I like to wear is really all that helpful to anyone. I mean I'm no expert, and there are plenty of ways now to learn about cultivating your own personal style. The internet, books, social media...finding useful advice and inspiration should be easier than ever.

But what if you don't feel represented? What if you're not quite finding what your'e looking for? It used to be that bloggers showed off clothing in a way that a glossy editorial couldn't (or wouldn't). Everyday women like myself could buy a camera, set up a website, and give a middle finger to magazines, models, and the unattainable fashion industry. It was exciting. It was real. And as a consumer of blogs, I felt compelled to add my own voice to the mix.

I get that we are in a new age of body positivity, and it's definitely a step in the right direction. I'm always pleasantly surprised when I see an ad campaign featuring a blogger that isn't cookie cutter, that has interesting features, or that wears things in a way that I hadn't thought of. But I want more. I get tired of the same bloggers being featured on LiketoKnowit.

I want:

More diversity, not only in size but also in ethnicity. Women of color.

Not just thinness, or plus size women, but also average sized women.

Women of all ages.

Less photoshopping.

Less c/o clothing. Would you really buy that with your own money?

Different aesthetics.

I'm really hoping that style blogging goes back to being more raw and unedited. I hope we see more diversity, in all shapes and forms. In fact, if you're reading this and have wanted to start blogging but have hesitated because of fear, insecurity, or being different - You should start a blog.

 I guess it's all up to us, and that's the beauty of it. We can change the landscape a bit if we want to.

What do you want to see more or less of in style blogging?

Continue the post

How I Wear Leggings

Wearing //

Hue leggings

Lush top

Express coat (sold out), love this

Sam Edelman pumps

Leopard clutch

Stella & Dot necklace 

Everyone loves leggings, right? You can lounge around the house in them, sleep in them, and even run errands in leggings. But for me, all leggings are not created equal. I like mine to be ultra thick and opaque, so a ponte knit is essential. I also prefer that they give the appearance of denim, which means illusion pockets on the back are a plus. Here I wore a longer top and coat, though a longline cardigan or tunic would have been pretty as well. I don't have to worry about feeling exposed, and I'm pretty darn warm! I wore this to dinner where we sat on a covered patio and it was the perfect mix of chic and comfort. You definitely don't have to sacrifice either when it comes to leggings. Business on top, party on the bottom! 

Would you wear leggings in this way? How do you prefer to wear yours?

Continue the post