back at the roots

I'm finally back home! It's been a crazy first semester of college, and it's good to be back where everything is familiar.

I grabbed lunch with Crystal and Jo, who may seem familiar since I did a photo shoot for fun with them this summer that you can see here.

My outfit combines pretty much all of my favorite textures - denim, knits, and leather. I threw on a pair of over-the-knee socks courtesy of my roommate because I have a minor obsession with them, but the extra warmth wasn't at all necessary... not really loving this almost 80 degree SoCal winter weather -_-

On me
Collared shirt: Buffalo Exchange
Sweater: Forever 21
Skirt: Forever 21
Booties: Cotton On

Aaand here are some shots with my girls ♥ Thanks, Crystal, for making us look like dwarves.





I'm soo in love with their accessories! I also just found out that Crystal now has a blog :) check it out here!

On Crystal	On Jo
Plaid shirt: Hollister ◻︎◻︎◻︎	Cardigan: Bass
Skirt: H&M	Dress: H&M
Booties: H&M	Booties: DB Shoes
Watch: gift	Watch: Charming Charlie
Bag: Romwe	Backpack: Bass

It's crazy how fast this year passed by, and I'm so thankful for all of the memories I've made and have shared with everyone ♡ A lot has happened for me personally in 2013, considering my graduation from high school and matriculation into college, and I have to say it's been a really satisfying ride. Here's to hoping that 2014 is just as exciting!

flower hour

So, lately, I've kind of been obsessed with floral things. I fall in love with anything with daisies on them, and I've been gravitating towards clothes with floral prints on dark backgrounds - I love how it makes a super feminine pattern a little less girly and more mature.

Luckily, one of my roommates has enough free time, patience (and talent!) to do both hers and my nails. I'm basically incapable of doing any kind of nail art, so thank the lord for her lol. Thaaaanks, Michelle ;)






She also gave herself that freaking cute pseudo-Sharpie-tat. Almost makes me want a tattoo. Almost.

Also, good news! I mentioned previously in my Crystal + Jo post that I wouldn't have my DSLR until I went back home in December, but I successfully convinced my dad that I would die before I let it get stolen, so one of my relatives brought it up when they drove back up north :) I'm currently a part of a design and photography club on campus, so technically I'm a professional photographer now ;) It's really exciting, and I know I'm going to learn so much this semester/year.

Hopefully having my camera means more posts! I'm already planning a haul/outfit post of my recent H&M order that I'm soo excited about. Crossing my fingers that everything is as perfect in real life as they are in the photos. The weather here is starting to get super chilly, and I'm itching to pull out a coat and boots.

things i've already picked up during my first two weeks of college

1. new obsessions with clothing pieces, namely dresses (i thought people were supposed to bum it in college...)
2. a lust for backpacks (so many cute ones everywhere :c the struggle to find the perfect compromise between style and functionality) 
3. hairstyles (nothing special; before i did nothing to my hair 99% of the time and now it's more like 85% lol)
4. sleeping schedule (though it's basically the same as my summer one... sleep at 1 [or later] and wake up at 9) 
5. eating habits (at least i didn't partake in the eating of ice cream mochi at 1am last night) 
6. the three finger swipe (so! nice!)
7. a love for working in libraries (they're somehow completely different from the one back home)
8. going to the gym (though that kind of stopped this past week...)

things i still need to work on 

1. reading and taking thorough notes before going to class or doing homework :(
2. finding the most efficient routes to class

crystal + jo

Earlier this week, I did a photo shoot with my friends Crystal and Josephine (Jo being the one with the flower crown), and it was a particularly special day because 1) it was the last time I'm going to see them until December or January and 2) it was the last time I'm going to use my camera until winter break since I'm not bringing it to college with me.

The last time I did a photo shoot like this was last year in June and I have to say, I think this batch of photos is exponentially better. The location was actually the same, just not as far up the hill - this made all the difference. The backgrounds were prettier and more interesting (bokeh galore!) and it was easier for me to move around to get different angles.

Photo spam under the cut! Open the photos in a new tab for their full size.

OOTD + vlog! and more Boiling Point...

Today I hung out with one of my closest friends, Christine. We had an amazing time grubbin' (I totally forgot that I've already posted pictures at Boiling Point before) and messing around. I forced asked her to help me film an ootd video since I never get a chance to, so let me know what you guys think :)




top: Forever 21
skirt: Cotton On
shoes: Cynthia Rowley (got them at TJ Maxx)
rings: Papers and Peonies
nails: Essie Topless & Barefoot