beauté

a few of my favorite lotions and parfums that have been on rotation as of late

 

L'erbolario creme pour le corps // l'occitaine crème hydratante éclat // estée lauder emerald dream parfum // tamara lempicka parfum // apothia IF eau de parfum // gucci envy me eau de parfum // versace crystal noir  // lancome hypnose eau de parfum // flower by kenzo parfum // l'occitaine immortelle lait demaquillant // viktor rolf flowerbomb parfum

turkish jewelry

 

 I bought this Nazar ring because the evil eye is sold everywhere in Turkey. I love getting jewelry that is unique to that country. I know Nazars are sold in many Mediterranean cultures, but since I won't be hitting up many of them this time around...this will do! According to wikipedia, in Turkey, evil eye jewelry and other such trinkets are particularly common. The evil eye is also known as the Eye of Medusa ( A mythical greek gorgan). A nazar or evil eye stone (Turkish: nazar boncuğu) is an amulet that protects against the evil eye. Colorful beads, bracelets, necklaces, anklets, and all manner of decoration may be adorned by this particularly popular symbol, and it is common to see it on almost anything, from babies, horses, doors to cars, sidewalks, cell phones, and even airplanes.

I really liked his scarf so he sold me one just like it. I like that he has this pimp expression on his face, and holding my 20 lira for the scarf. He then proposed to me with the red ring below, but I'm pretty sure it was just for the visa. Naturally, like a lady, I took the ring, and said no thank you. *_*

same same as mulberry but different

 I have been drooling over the Alexa Mulberry bag for months and months. I knew that I would have to settle for a much cheaper version of it, but held off on buying anything since I was leaving for months of travel and never found the right one. I used many a hobo bag throughout Asia, but now it's time to buy a nice one for Europe. Since my clothing is more winter oriented now, it requires nice accessories as well. This H&M bag is the perfect combo if price and quality. I practically grabbed it off the hanger when I saw it. It was meant to be...me finding it in H&M!!

h&m bag

 

I'm in Russia at the moment, and the styles here are fantastic. Every woman I see walking down the street is wearing something I covet, whether it be boots, coats, or bag. If one was to ever be on a hunt for coats or boots, I would highly recommend looking for one here. The selection is phenomenal. Any style, any shape, size, color you want is available in any given store on the street. If you don't see what you like, try next door. Yes, there are that many.

loose and flowy

I love loose and flowy dresses when I'm lazy as heck and want to do nothing but lounge around the house. I had some errands to do this morning, and since today was so gorgeous, this dress was perfect. It's a bunch of different fabrics sewn together asymmetrically...some cotton, some silk, and other random ones. Although this is an XS, it's still gigantic one me, so it took some getting used to the angles on the camera. It can look like a mumu *_*

On a sidenote, I'm about to hop in my car and drive to SF for an impromptu trip with Kat, my travel buddy, to get my tourist visa from the Russian consulate. They refuse to take applications by mail, and since I'm determined to see the Hermitage Museum on this insane trip across the world, this small trip is just a part of the process to make it happen! Come on, Russia. Help me out here!

H&M dress, grendha jelly sandals, forever 21 bow ring

snakeskin and linen

This snakeskin belt is my mother's. Someone gave it to her as a gift on her wedding day, and she just had it tucked away in her closet for 20 years. I, of course, came across it, and squealed delightfully the minute I got my hands on it. She let me have it, and I pair it with as many things as I can. She says it came from Vietnam, so I love it even more.

I woke up at six - effing - thirty this morning. I don't think I even slept that well last night. I rolled out of bed at 7, showered, and started putting aside some clothes for the bar trip. In that pile, I saw this skirt and decided to work with it today. I picked it up for $10 at H&M a few weeks back, and wasn't sure how it wear it really. It's kind of long, and high-waisted, but the pockets and the linen sold me. It came with a linen belt too, but i decided my favorite belt would be more fun.

uncharacteristically chipper at 730 in the morning

H&M linen skirt, H&M sandals, random grey tank, mum's snakeskin belt

grey skies in july

Gloomy skies make me want to wear grey all the time. Although it's overcast, I love this weather for a few reasons. 1) I'm stuck inside from 9 am to at least 9 pm, so you bummin' lazy summer people can suffer somewhat with me, 2) the gloom makes me focus more on my studies by not wanting to go outside for some fresh air and sun, and 3) when i did get a chance to snap these pics this morning, it makes for great photography lighting!

oh, and in case you were wondering, i haven't watered my lawn in ages bc the sprinklers are broken, and the reflection in my aviators is my air conditioner thingamajig covered in cobwebs. I'm not a good housewife during the bar.

my favorite aviators from aldo

Every single one of my shades are from Aldo. I love the accessories they carry!!! Since I throw them around everywhere and loose my sunglasses constantly, I don't feel bad about manhandling Aldo shades because they are insanely cheap [$12] and feel awesome!!!! When they go bad, it's an excuse to purchase the next set of fun shades. I want to protect these, however, because it is so hard to find the perfect pair of aviators. These are men's size, but they are my absolute aviators yet, so i purchased an awesome yellow case to protect them for only $5 at the outlet!

These boots are pull up, but they have this clasp in the back that's so pretty and unique...but not very comfortable when you want to cross your legs. I ended up taking them off to sit indian style to study for the rest of the day. *_*

hand me down shaw, wifebeater, random tights, grey suede over the knee suede boots, aldo aviators

planets?

h&m celestial necklace

shoulder clutch

I've been on the lookout for a cute shoulder clutch for graduation. I was super picky because (1) it needed to be slim to not show under my graduation robe, (2) hold my mobile, lip gloss, and some small munchies, (3) still looks classy. We browsed through Forever, H&M, and even Wet Seal for a cheap useful one, but to no avail. In Zara, I found this one, and it hit the spot. My friend got one too because it was just too perfect!

And the dress? TJ Maxx! I went into get some workout clothes [I do not believe in spending insane amounts of money on something I'm going to sweat profusely in, and wash everyday!] and spotted this dress on the way in. Tried it on, and it was so comfy, pretty, and cheap! Had to get it.

Was i kicking my photographer? hahah nope! he just caught me in motion, falling backwards to be exact!

dress from tj maxx, nine west gold ballet flats, zara shoulder clutch

a close up with my new favorite bracelet

On another note, I am one final and one paper away from graduation. I spent today memorizing remedies, and do not want to finish this!! Took a break for this post, but it's time to get back to work! Final is at 9 am! ciao!

cinco de mayo

It's been awhile since I've done an outfit post. I can't seem to find enough hours in a day to do things, and yet I planned for this semester to be the most easy-going. sigh. Tomorrow is my first final, so I'm running out of the house. However, since today was such a beautiful day, and the grass is yellow for some reason [i may have forgotten to turn on the sprinklers], i grabbed a few shots before I took off.

I've worn this linen dress wine tasting, and spilled wine ALL over it. Thanks to the Tide pen, it got everything off as soon as it spilled on. Love you Tide pen. I pull this dress out when days are sunny and bright, but I still need to be comfortable and cozy to study. The Club Monaco tote is one of my favorite totes, if not my fave. It holds everything I need, even my 17 in laptop, so this is the perfect accessory! I even nabbed it on sale last year for $20, so that makes me happy since the bags at CM have been insanely expensive lately.

dress from the Hive boutique, club monaco tote bag, aldo ballet flats

On another note, today is Cinco de Mayo. Next year, I will actually get to celebrate it since I won't be in the middle of finals!!!!! Today also happens to be one of my oldest friend's birthday! 13 years we've known each other, and still going strong! I think since I've started college, I've missed every single one of her birthdays, but we do our own little thing to make up for it later! This year, it happens to fall on the day before my first final, which is impossible for me to drink to her bday. So, after tomorrow, I'm taking one day out of the weekend to celebrate her birthday, our other best friend's graduation [from law school too!], and finish this stupid paper!!!!

amore, amicizia, e risa

Everytime I go to Pike Place, I buy jewelry. They have the best antique stuff, the best craftsmen, and artisans. This last time, I came across a vendor called Hammering Girl. Kathy Henning has been hand hammering sterling silver and copper for the last 23 years at Pike Place Market. She engraves the quotes onto the bracelet, and she has a list of ones that are ready to go at the counter. However, she also custom engraves what you want to say as well, and if you can't be there to pick it up, she'll ship it to you!

My favorite is this quote "amore, amicizia, e risa" meaning love, friendship and laughter. I bought one for me...and 2 as gifts. I also got one for Tien...and i absolutely love what it says..."progess, not perfection." *_*

She also mentioned that copper was good for you, but i didn't delve further into that until I got home. Apparently, wearing copper is great for curing arthritis and such. Since I'm on the computer all day long and my wrists and hands just plain hurt at the end of the day, I'm hoping this is going to help me finish law school as well as look great! Read about the health benefits of copper bracelets!

I also picked up this ring at Pike Place. It's pure simplicity drew me in, and I had to get it. I wouldn't mind wearing a ring like this instead of a diamond on my ring finger either. Although I wear tons of gaudy jewelry, that one that bears my allegiance to my man must be simple and pure...and i think that's why i was drawn to this ring so much. Please excuse the dry hands and paperwork. I'm procrastinating from doing my legal analysis homework as always.

burberry london

I love perfume. Or parfum, if you are in Paris. But I'm really picky when I want to buy a bottle. I have one body lotion scent by L'erbolario and all my perfumes have to match that one body lotion. I tend to stick to my favorites for spring/summer: Gucci's Envy Me, Lancome's Hypnose, and Bond No. 9's Scent of Peace. For fall/winter: Victor Rolf's Flowerbomb, Lancome's Poeme, and Lolita Lempicka.  Being in finals period, I am tired and cranky all the time. Needless to say, when my package arrived with my newly bought scent, I'm ecstatic. [rips open box] My new scent addiction. I've passed by the store a million times and always stop into grab a sample of it....Burberry London.

What are your scents of choice?