A Glimpse of Glam

Hey everyone!

As we all know, summer is the season for all events and ceremonies to take place. It’s the time of year when we all fill up our calendars with event after event to attend. I am literally thinking of season 4 episode 1 of New Girl, when their whole fridge was full of wedding invites. Sounds familiar?

Of course, weddings aren’t the only type of event you may be invited to. I recently went to my friend’s younger sister’s quinceanera. Wedding or not, this is the season with fancy events where you get the opportunity to glam up. Especially now that it is heading into mid-August, as the weather starts to cool off a bit from the full-on sweltering heat of the summer, this is when everyone tries to squeeze in all their events before the summer is over.

And the question remains… What shall I wear? How fancy is fancy? Is this enough, or too much? You obviously don’t want to outshine the birthday girl, or bride, or whomever is supposed to be in the spotlight. That would just be rude on your part. You’re a guest, after all. Have some consideration! It’s one thing to show up fashionably late; it’s another to steal the spotlight.

With that, here’s a few mood boards of outfit inspiration I put together to save you the time of having to scavenge the depths of Pinterest for ideas. Because we all know once you start scrolling on Pinterest, you won’t stop. And soon that whole event you were trying to shop for would have long passed before you've even gotten off your phone.


One thing I want to tackle is wearing black to a summer event. It’s commonly thought of that black is not a summer color. Or shade (if you are getting technical). But, if styled and worn properly, you can certainly rock black during the summer for any and all events. Who said you had to introduce color into your life?

To prevent looking too serious and somber for a summer event, I suggest going for a flowy black that is a bit looser-fitting, and low-cut or has cut-outs. If you opt for a tighter fitting, clingy, body-hugging black number, you might end up looking more like you are dressed for a winter cocktail party. Whereas something that is a bit looser, with maybe even a low-back, makes the dress perfect for the hot summer weather. Above, I chose a few black options that have some unique details such as a criss-cross low-back, and a flowy fit. This makes it feel more appropriate for the warm weather. Paired with a bold lip, and you’ve got yourself the perfect outfit.

What I love to wear with outfits that have a low back is pulling my hair up and away. Doesn’t have to be sleek and slick, but an updo definitely amps up the glam factor. Doesn’t have to be a low-back, but a low cut dress or jumpsuit with an updo works so well too. Remember my black jumpsuit I wore to a summer wedding last year? I paired it with a curled ponytail, and I felt so boss the whole night. I was slayin! Who said you HAD to wear a dress and have a complicated hairstyle for summer events? Of course a more boho braided hairstyle is the popular go-to style most people choose for the summer because it practically screams summer. But, you can always try out something different. You'd be surprised at how awesome you feel once you break out of the norm.


If you do like wearing color in your life, and you like floral prints and other summery patterns, here are a few options that you may like too. This is more of the bohemian outdoors sort of wedding look. But it can also work for a more black-tie summer wedding too. It's all based on how you accessorize. If you paired that maxi dress with sandals and a messy braid, that would work perfectly for a casual beach wedding. But slip on those stilettos, and add on some delicate jewelry and you are ready for a more formal occasion.

I personally adore wearing bright, bold colors during the summer. It adds to the mood, and suits the summertime perfectly. However, with so many people around you dressed in similar tones and styles, it can be difficult to find a way to differentiate yourself.

The key here is to pair that summery outfit with a bronzy makeup look. Something that most people would not choose. When you think of summer, you obviously think of a bright lip color, perhaps a coral or red. Maybe a light and simple makeup look with less on the eyes and attention on the lips? That’s pretty much everyone’s definition of a summer makeup look.

However, if you try out having a bronzier look, with a sharp contour and poppin highlight, you got yourself a look so on fleek everybody will be asking who your makeup artist is. Especially when you go for a more neutral lip color. That is what really sets the difference between you and the other guest sitting next to you. The balance between a bronzy look and a floral dress keeps the outfit from looking to cliche “summer”.


Of course, I had to add in a few style inspirations for the men out there. If you are going with a date, or with a friend, you don’t want anyone to feel left out.

While it always seems like women have it easier for dressing up because of the vast amount of clothes, accessories, shoes etc. to choose from, men probably feel a bit limited in their options. It may seem like it’s a bit more difficult to personalize, and differentiate the outfit from the sea of men in suits. However, with a few key accessories your summer style will also be on point.

Here, I chose to focus on sunglasses and printed ties as the key to accessorize. Let your personality show through the perfect pair of sunglasses you choose. While everybody is wearing a boring monochromatic tie, you can choose a fun print like a polka-dot tie. Match with your date through the colors you choose. Personally, I think that when men wear a light grey suit, it looks SO good. You see so many people wearing dark blacks, browns, and navy suits, but when a guy wears something lighter and brighter, that is so eye-catching and unique. I also really like how watches are such a simple way to finish off an outfit. When you coordinate your watch with the color of your shirt, this brings together the whole color theme of your outfit. A few accents here and there definitely can showcase your personality.

Floral Jumpsuit

As mentioned above, I recently got the chance to attend a friend’s quinceanera, which is a birthday event popular in the Hispanic culture when a girl turns 15. It’s the coming of age girl-to-woman kind of event. I chose to wear a floral jumpsuit with high slits from Zaful, which you may have seen if you follow me on Instagram. This definitely made me stand out from the crowd of short bodycon dresses out there. From afar, it looks like a maxi dress, but it’s a jumpsuit. Simple yet chic.

What would you wear to a summer event? 

I created this post in collaboration with Bonobos, which is a clothing company that caters to men. They have clothes ranging from activewear, to dress shirts, to casual sweaters, to accessories. This can definitely come in handy when it comes to finding the perfect outfit for all occasions, especially if you got some summer weddings and events to plan for.

Plus, if you are into the whole mens style for women, no matter your gender you can find something that works. Check out one of my past blogposts where I styled a men’s shirt! You don’t need to limit yourself to contrived societal norms when it comes to crafting your personal style. It’s all about how you choose to style it and make it work.

Comment down below your favorite outfit for a summer event! Would you prefer wearing a flowing maxi dress? Or is a shorter dress more your style? Bright, printed and colorful? Or perhaps a more monochromatic look? Lemme know down in the comments below! 

SIDE NOTE: I recently created a Facebook page for my blog! I know I can procrastinate a ton, and slack off. But I finally got around to making it. I’m still figuring out how to manage it and everything, because a Facebook page is different from a personal account. But don’t forget to Like my Facebook page! I will try my best to update on there as well. I find it easiest to update and post most frequently on Instagram, so luckily I linked the two accounts. Killing two birds with one stone, ya feel me?

Also, thank you all for your lovely comments on my last blogpost regarding The Future of Design. I really enjoyed writing that post because it speaks of a topic that is something I'm quite passionate about, especially being an art major. While I do love fashion, beauty, and style, I am also an artist. I am a creator. I loved reading your comments, and getting to know some of your insights on that topic as well.

I'm actually considering sharing some of the art I've been creating on this blog too. Expanding the range of topics I discuss. Considering how I am a lifestyle blogger, I wanted to share more about that aspect of my life with you guys. I always talk about how I am an art student, but I haven't really ever shared much of my work with you guys. In that last blogpost, the photography was all done by me for some projects I worked on. Generally, all photos I take for this blog are all done by me or directed by me. I've very rarely used stock photos, but the photos from that last post were specially done and edited so I did think of them differently than typical blog photos. Lemme know what you think! Would you like seeing some of the art I've done, and sharing more of my university life with you guys? Perhaps talking more about art, and the art world in general? Comment down below! 

Thanks for stopping by! I wish you all a wonderful day!


Til next time,
~A

Hey everyone!

Today I wanted to discuss with you all about design, specifically about designing in the future. This post is a part of the Design Blogger Competition organized by CGTrader. The style of this post is quite different from what I typically post here on my blog, and I am excited to share this with you all.

The term design is quite broad and general. It can refer to a multitude of things, whether it is fashion, graphic, or interior design. Design and art go hand in hand, and are interrelated, but not the same. Art can encompass a wide array of arrangements, and anything can be justified as art. Take Duchamp’s Fountain for example. Duchamp literally took a ready-made urinal, and manipulated its placement to create the argument that it’s art. Art is heavily based on its context, whereas design is a component within art.

Design refers to all the little intricacies within a composition. It is what makes us look and reconsider. It is everything that goes into making and creating a work. 

With our world as it is now, what would the future of design look like? A photo I took several months ago for a photography project that I thought captured one perspective of our entanglement with technology and obsession with the future.

In our present day, much can be said and done in attempts to predict the future. While we can guess what design will be like in the future, none of us are psychics, and we can never truly know what will be in store for us. Our past has happened, and there’s nothing we can do to change that. Our present is taking place in the here and now. As for our future? There is only our past and present to guide us into the unknown. Although our future has yet to come, much of the answers lie in our past and present. Sorry to sound all cryptic, but it’s true.

And before you even say it, no. In terms of designing for the future, this is not just a post about hover boards and the DeLorean. (Comment down below if you got that Back to the Future reference!)

In accordance to the topics I typically discuss here on my blog, fashion design has much to be considered for the future. While some may argue that fashion is merely a frivolous topic for those who prefer to focus on consumerism, fashion surprisingly is very intertwined with our daily lives in how it reflects the social, economical, and political happenings of our time. We can see the ups and downs of society through the way fashion undergoes its subsequent changes. In the 1920s-1930s, the feminist movement spurred and women began to join the workforce. This was clearly shown in the prevalence of the shorter hemlines and boxy silhouettes of women’s fashion during that time. After World War II as America recovered, there was an increased preference for nuclear families to create a semblance of a perfect, happy family after the horrific years of war and the creation of the atomic bomb. As a result, women’s hemlines dropped back down, and curves and frills were played up to emphasize women’s femininity. The proliferation of the stiletto heel corresponds to the technological innovations that made the extremely high, skinny heel possible to create. Fashion is clear evidence of history.

Fashion has a way of cycling, with styles returning in new and improved ways Remember a time when halter necklines were a thing of the past and not trendy, and it was all about low-cut plunging necklines?

Everything within the fashion realm revolves around seasons. Things go in style for a season, and are then cast aside for new styles to have their turn in the spotlight. But as we all know how history has its way of repeating itself, fashion too will as well.

We already see this evident in the return of the ‘90s. High-waist light wash denim, oversized jean jackets, choker necklaces, brown and bronzy colored lips, off the shoulder tops. Simply by scrolling through Instagram we can see how much of our current trends are reminiscent of the past. The other day I wore an oversized jean jacket that was actually my mother’s jacket from many years ago. And fashion has cycled back to allow that vintage piece to work with our current trends again.

However, not everything is exactly the same as before. While it is true that history repeats itself, and fashion reflects the ongoings of our lives, it is not an exact replica of the past. Rather, we look to the past in order to create our future.

Our current trends may take a lot of inspiration from the ‘90s, but it is not an exact return of the past. We shape our future with consideration of what has happened before. The past provides us with what was successful, and what needs improvement. In terms of the future of design, I believe we will see much of the past cycling back into the realm of things. Along with looking back at the past, the idea of returning to a simpler time accompanies that.

There is only so much innovation and advancements a society can handle. We have come so far in creating and inventing. History and fashion has its highs and lows, reflecting its golden ages and its periods of recovery. Perhaps the time has come to simplify. Embrace minimalism. Why else has there been an increased interest in minimalist styles? There is a beauty in simplicity.

We don’t need to layer fifteen gold chain chokers to complete an outfit. We don’t need bolder, brighter, louder prints to make a statement. We don’t need taller, longer, higher boots that go so far above the knee to create almost a pant-boot hybrid.

The future of design will entail more of a focus on the small things. Little details that makes things whole. Beauty in simplicity. Another photo I took for a photography project. Capturing the beauty in light refraction. Simple objects that have the capacity to hold so much and tell so much without needing so much.

The future of design will be in embracing the beauty in simplicity. After all, it's the small things that count.

I believe the future of design will entail looking back on what was successful, taking what we have, and reshaping it for the better into an improved product. Except, it will be about minimizing the excessive, unnecessary elements to focus on the details that matter. A look at the proliferation of natural "no makeup" looks, and minimalist wardrobes demonstrate examples of such already beginning to happen.

Due to all the political turmoil that keeps occurring, fashion holds its subsequent response. I believe the future of design will entail taking aspects of the past, and adapting them to accommodate our current needs. Looking back to a simpler, happier time for inspiration. It’s not always about the go, go, go, and the do, do, do. Life has become too fast-paced, too much about progressing and advancing and innovating. We need to take a step back, breathe, and live in the moment. Live knowing that we should be enjoying the present.


This is certainly a lengthier, denser post than what is typical here. I really hope you all enjoyed reading this, and that some of what I discussed stuck with you somehow.

Please do comment down below your thoughts on this topic! What do you think the future of design will look like? What are your thoughts on design? Comment down below, and lemme know! I would love to read what you guys think!

Thanks for stopping by, and I hope you all have a wonderful day!


Til next time,
~A

Hey everyone!

Long time no see! I hope you are all doing well! I’m just chillin here greeting you guys while wearing this men’s dress shirt I borrowed from a friend. No big deal. Nothing out of the ordinary for me. Just kidding, because it is. It’s definitely something different for me. I’ve seen all over Pinterest and Instagram ways to style a men’s shirt for women, whether it be transforming it into a dress, or simply wearing an oversized one for a casual outfit, but I’ve never actually gone and tried it out myself. Today I wanted to give you guys something fun and creative for some style inspiration, and hopefully I succeeded in styling this men’s shirt!




This post was inspired (but not sponsored) by a company called Dia & Co, which is a curated shopping experience that allows you to try out various clothing items before you decide whether it is for you and purchase it! It’s all online, so it’s perfect for all you lazy hermits out there (myself included). Through a Dia & Co subscription, you essentially get a Dia box that has 5 items that are hand-picked just for you. By creating a personal style profile, stylists will be able to figure out the best pieces for you. You get to try them on in the comfort of your own home, return the ones you don’t like and only buy the ones you like.

With that, having a personal stylist through this online shopping experience gives you the opportunity to experiment with things you wouldn’t have thought of before. This allows you to try out things you normally wouldn’t wear. Sometimes it’s good to break that barrier, and toss away the security blanket. You can’t always resort to the things that fit within your comfort zone, or else you will never get the chance to try out new styles that you love but haven’t dared to wear.






They say fake it till you make it. I keep that phrase in my head whenever I hesitate to wear something different from what I normally do. But you don’t need to take a huge leap. Small baby steps work too. Which is pretty much what I did here today. Confidence is key when rocking any and all outfits.

As mentioned before, I always see pictures on Pinterest and Instagram of women incorporating men’s shirts into their own outfits. They would do things like wrap it around in a certain way and tie the sleeves to create a strapless dress, or pull down the collar and button it up only enough for an off-the-shoulder style. Or just simply throwing it on and wearing it as a casual shirt-dress. I come across many of those, and I always wanted to try. But never actually got around to doing it. Today, though. I did. I finally tried that out. And I gotta say, it was really exciting and fun to wear something that makes me just a bit nervous and hesitant.





I borrowed a shirt from my friend that is a color I actually do not own at all. I literally own nothing lavender. And yet, surprisingly, that color worked really well with things I already had. I guess this style challenge almost goes two ways, styling a men’s shirt and trying out a color I never really thought of wearing before. All my clothes are typically brighter and vibrant in color and pattern, or else they are muted and neutral. I don’t think I own anything that’s pastel hued, except for maybe some pajamas or tank tops. I am definitely pleasantly surprised that this worked out so well with items from my existing wardrobe.




In a way, I branched out and tried something fun and out of my comfort zone, while still maintaining a good grasp on my security blanket. I didn’t go and wear something completely crazy and wild. Like I mentioned previously, baby steps. Just different enough to make you question if this actually works, without giving you too much anxiety that you need a paper bag over your head to leave the house.





Here I styled the lavender shirt with a black and white printed skirt I got last year. You might recognize it from one of the posts from my New England cruise travel series I wrote last fall. I had to wear tights because it is still a bit chilly here in Seattle, even though it’s April. It was actually rainy out in the morning, but the sun came out just in time for these photos! I finished off the outfit with these grey ankle boots. The grey brings out the soft pastel lavender from the dress shirt because they are both cool-toned. If it was warmer out so that I hadn’t worn tights, I would have gone with my black lace-up ballerina flats, or some sandals instead. But, with the nearly opaque black tights, the grey shoes broke up the monotony of the black by bringing out the lavender of the top.






That same friend who I borrowed this shirt from happens to be my model for the JORD wood watch post from a while ago! He’s also an art major, and I got him to help me take these photos. You probably can tell the difference between these photos and ones I’ve had before in previous posts. Working with someone who is an artist is so different from working with my sister for photos. I usually get my sister to take my outfit photos, and for the most part I tell her where to stand to shoot from, essentially acting as part director. However, for these photos I acted only as the model, and my friend took prerogative as the photographer. There is such a distinct composition and technique difference when I got my friend to take these photos. I’ve never really worked with anyone else before for my outfit photos, so I am definitely considering getting more of my fellow artist friends to take photos for me to see that would turn out.

What do you think? Lemme know in the comments below your experiences working with photographers, and who usually takes your photos for you!






We really got lucky when the sun came out in time for these photos. It was a gloomy rainy day all morning. At first, I was planning on just going to this covered area for the pictures, but I am so glad we got to take these photos out in the sun by the blooming cherry blossom trees. These cherry blossoms are out later this year than previous years. They typically bloom mid March, but this year it took until late March to appear. As with every year, this is the time when the Quad gets insanely crowded with people because of the cherry blossoms. There were so many people out lounging on the grass, having picnics, bringing out their dogs, and of course taking pictures. It gets almost irritating with so many people there because it’s hard to get by. But yesterday ended up perfect because it wasn’t as crowded as it had been last week.




I love how the flowers and cherry blossoms created the perfect backdrop for these photos. They helped accentuate the spring feel. When there is a slight breeze, some of the petals would fall and flutter in the air, almost creating the effect of snow. Even though it is annoying how these cherry blossoms increase tourism, there is definitely something magical about it nevertheless. Where you guys live, do you get to experience the beauty of these cherry blossoms? 

I don't know if you guys noticed or not, but I actually recently cut my hair quite a bit! I chopped off about 7 inches or so. It feels really different when I'm styling my hair now! But, now that I've cut my hair to a shorter length, I'm tempted to chop it even shorter. Perhaps to a lob. Or even a bob. I probably won't because last time I did, it took awhile for it to grow back. And I always feel more limited in terms of styling my hair when my hair is shorter. Though I do really love having shorter hair too. Comment down below if you know what I mean! Also, lemme know what your biggest hair transformation ever was!

Comment down below what you thought! As a female, how would you style a men’s dress shirt? Do you like shopping in the men’s section? Lemme know down in the comments below what you think! I would love for more ideas on how you guys would style a men’s shirt! 

Thank you all for stopping by and reading! I hope you guys are having a fabulous week, and a wonderful April so far!


Til next time,
~A

Hey everyone!

Spring has finally sprung, and warmer weather is slowly creeping upon us. That is, just barely. Just awhile ago the east coast was hit with a winter storm. So, I guess we are still feeling some of residuals of this long winter we’ve been having. But, soon enough I’ll be able to break out those brighter colors and lighter layers again. I can’t wait to wear wispy skirts and crop tops without fear of shivering like crazy.

Thank you all for your lovely comments from my previous post! I haven't really featured anyone other than myself before here, so that was definitely very different. I just might see if I could get him to reappear on my blog, or my other friends too. Would you like to see more style posts featuring other people?

I hope you all liked that giveaway I had with JORD wood watches. It was really fun and new collaboration because I've admired their watches for a long time now. Getting the chance to work with them for that was definitely a wonderful experience. I love the watch I ended up getting for the style post. It is so beautifully made, and the idea of a nice watch made with wood rather than a precious metal is definitely appealing.

I hope you are all doing well because it’s been a long time. I’ve explained previously that I will keep trying to update whenever I can, as I prefer to post content I feel I have actually put effort into rather than filler posts. It’s been a crazy busy year, and it’s only March. However, I gotta say it’s also been quite a productive, and inspiration filled several months. As I am already rapidly approaching my last year of university because I am nearing the end of my third year (at least that’s what it is so far unless I have to extend a year), there’s a lot to be done to finish up requirements and the sorts. I’ve also decided to double major, which means more classes to take and finish up. Despite these crazy months, I feel like I’m finally creating things I’m proud of.

I’m thinking of creating a post, or a short series, later on in the summer about my university experience. I always talk about it, but never really got around to really explaining more about it. As I know my fellow blogger friends and readers vary in age, this could potentially help you if you will soon start your own college experience, or this could be something you might possibly relate to and can reminisce of.

Please lemme know what you think! Would you be interested in hearing more about my college experience?

Brown Backpack - link HERE

A while ago, I received from Gamiss a GORGEOUS, and I’m talking GORGEOUS brown bag. It’s a small backpack sort of style, but is better for an everyday handbag/purse purpose. The straps attach on separately with hooks, and both could be detached. You can convert the backpack into a longer shoulder bag if you wanted. This bag is literally the bag I’ve been reaching for ever since I got it.

I’ve received so many compliments on my bag because the style and color is absolutely perfect. The shape of it works well as a purse because it is big enough to hold everything you would need, including an umbrella and water bottle. Believe me, I know this because I’ve tried. With the insanely fickle rainy/sunny/cloudy weather going on, I’ve started just carrying around an umbrella just in case.

This bag is probably the highlight of what I got from Gamiss. I highly recommend this bag to you if you are looking for a new bag this spring season.   The only thing I don’t like about it is the front clasp. It has a little turn knob that can be difficult at times to match with the hole, but it isn’t a huge problem. Other than that, it’s seriously the best. The light brown color matches nearly everything. While I haven’t fully started wearing my spring clothes yet, I definitely think that this would work well with bright spring colors. This shade of brown is the kind that is versatile enough to pair nicely with almost everything.

Striped Pants

 Another thing I recently got from Gamiss are these striped pants. They are black with vertical red and white stripes. I’ve been eyeing these pants for a long time now because this style of pants is one I’m very much into. Whenever I’m feeling lazy (which is almost everyday because I am a proudly self-declared lazy hermit), I like throwing on some joggers or loose pants rather than something fitted. These are super comfy! I like the vertical stripes on them, which helps to break up the black. These are high-waisted and pair nicely with any kind of shorter crop top.

Striped Pants - link HERE

Here I styled the pants with a simple cropped knit sweater and a black leather jacket. I threw on some black boots to finish it off. I wore this exact outfit a couple times already because it is insanely comfortable, yet looks nice. I love the slight rocker-chic edge the pants paired with the boots create.

Striped Pants - link HERE

Side note, the sweater is something I got elsewhere along with some other things I will be reviewing. I will be doing a whole other post on that as well later on! So stay tuned for that review.

And same with the outfit featured with that gorgeous brown bag…

It’s been a crazy busy several months, and I have a lot of things to review and post! So many ideas and so little time. Ya feel me?

I’ve gotten stuff from Gamiss before, and I’ve yet to be disappointed! Okay, let’s hope I don’t jinx that. Coincidentally, last time I also ended up getting a bag and scarves.

With the pants and the bag, I also got a couple of scarves.You know me and my love of scarves. I adore scarves because they are the best accessory ever. They aren’t just for looks, but have purposes too. Well, to some extent. Because there are those flimsy puny thin scarves that don’t serve any other purpose than to accessorize. But, that’s beyond my point.

I chose two lighter weight scarves than ones I’ve been getting this past winter. These scarves are perfect to transition from the cold months into the coming spring. They are super soft, and the colors would work well with a spring color theme.

White Scarf - sold out but similar one HERE Striped Scarf - link HERE

The white scarf has black music notes in varying sizes printed on. It is a fun pattern that isn’t too overwhelming or distracting because of the simple black on white. This would look good with a cropped jacket and skirt, or maybe layered with another scarf for a slightly warmer, thicker fit.

The second one is a creamy white with orangey-brown and black stripes. There are other ones as well in other colors. The stripes on this scarf range from thick and thin. This scarf has warmer hues in comparison to the cool white of the other scarf. I adore the classy look of this scarf. The first one is more fun and playful, whereas this one has a more elegant feel.

I wore the white scarf with music notes in the outfit with the striped pants. You can also see a hint of the striped scarf in the photos with that brown bag. I definitely am looking forward to integrating these two pieces into my current collection of scarves!

What are some of your tricks for dealing with fickle weather? I hate having to choose between a raincoat or wearing a cute jacket but needing an umbrella. I do have a nice raincoat, but that doesn’t mean I want to wear it literally every single day because of the possibility of rain! Comment down below how you deal with unpredictable spring weather!

Perhaps it is a bit excessive, but I like to carry an umbrella AND have on my raincoat. I like being protected from the rain. Even though I live in Seattle which is a fairly rainy cloudy place, I still don’t like having to deal with rainy days. Light drizzles I can handle, but when it’s literally pouring I would rather be inside than out and about.

Speaking of pouring rain, this past weekend the weather was so insanely stormy. But, my friends and I made the most of the day. Because guess what? We watched the new live-action version of Beauty and the Beast.

Some of you may already know this because I posted on my Instagram story a silly video of me by the huge Beauty and the Beast display inside the IMAX theaters lobby.

The movie was really funny and entertaining! I like how it was mostly true to the original, with its own unique flairs. However, I do feel slightly disappointed because my favorite moments from it were not included. SPOILER ALERT!! Like how in the Disney version Gaston ate a dozen eggs raw, or the moment when the Beast fed the birds?! What happened to that?! Also, I kept pointing out to my friends how it looked like Belle was wearing a generic version of Toms for shoes. For those of you who have watched the movie already, did you notice that? I couldn’t stop laughing at that for some reason. But otherwise, it was a good movie. Emma Watson did a great job, and I like the backstory they created for Belle.

Have you watched the new Beauty and the Beast yet? Lemme know in the comments below what you thought!

I also heard that there will be live-action remakes of The Little Mermaid and Mulan as well. I already watched the trailer for The Little Mermaid, which will be closer in story to the original Hans Christian Anderson fairytale than the Disney version. I found that trailer here. Apparently the live-action version of Mulan will be quite different too. I like how they are starting to do remakes of old classics, but that’s also my whole childhood we are dealing with here. On one hand I admire the unique flairs on these classics, and I understand that Disney versions are not very true to the original fairytales. However, I grew up knowing the Disney version better, and I can’t help but be a bit of a critic while watching these new remakes.

Tis all for now! This post got quite lengthy in terms of life updates and other content.

Please lemme know down in the comments below what you thought!! Have you gotten anything from Gamiss recently? Are you the type to prefer larger bags for everyday use, or do you lean more towards smaller purses? What are you most excited about for this upcoming spring? 

Thank you all for stopping by and visiting my corner of the cyberworld. I wish you all a fantastic day!


Til next time,
~A

Hey everyone!

It’s past Valentine’s Day and it’s nearing spring, which means gone are the times when you would have to bundle up in many layers just to step outside. The sun is started to peep out more, and provide us all with longer days. That being said, with less heavy layers, the accessories you choose actually get to have some time in the spotlight, rather than hiding behind those thick knit sweaters you don to survive the cold of winter. Which puts more attention on the accessories you do choose to wear. You finally get to show off that new necklace you got over the holidays, instead of covering it up with a scarf. That new watch you recently bought? You can flaunt it to your delight. You excited?

Before I go on any further, I shall proceed to apologize for my lack of posts for the entire month of February. I’ve been very swamped with school projects, exams, and so on and so forth and what have you. It’s definitely been a crazy quarter. I always feel like winter quarter passes by the fastest, and has the most going on for me. Perhaps it has to do with the winter time, and I’m just overall more sluggish. Maybe I’m the problem as to why I’m less productive? No. Never. It’s not me, it’s school.

Point is, I apologize, and I am definitely trying my best to up the number of posts I am doing. I am also trying to be more interactive on Instagram too. So that I’m not completely off the grid. Huge thanks to you all for your patience!

Anyways, today I have something new and different to share with you all! I am partnering with JORD watches to share with my lovely readers one of their featured wood watches. JORD watches have really become a huge part of the fashion world as of late. These unique watches are made of wood, and have a rustic, laid-back feel without sacrificing class or style. It’s definitely different than your typical watch that consists of silver links and a shiny face. I am really loving the many styles they have to offer.





The one I am featuring today is their men’s style olive and acacia watch. It is a men's watch, yet JORD also has a selection of women's watches to choose from as well. As it is a men’s watch, I was able to get one of my good guy friends, Justin, to be in my blog. I can’t exactly style this watch myself, now can II? I mean, technically I could because I can probably pull off menswear. But, as it is a men’s watch, I definitely should be demonstrating how it can be styled as so.I typically do style posts that revolve around women’s fashion, as I am a female after all. But I do occasionally do some men’s styling. Just to switch things up every once in awhile. It’s also a great challenge for me, as styling for men is almost uncharted territory for me, and does require more planning and creativity.

Except, here I didn’t plan out the outfit. So I can’t take the credit. My friend has fairly good taste in clothes. I can’t say great or else if he reads this, it might go to his head. I shall say good. And you all can be the judge.

JORD Olive and Acacia watch

I received the olive and acacia watch from JORD a short while ago, and I was most definitely pleased with the lovely quality. It’s really well made, as it looks durable yet maintains a sense of elegance. It came in a wooden box, with a small polishing cloth as well. The box itself just made it look so gorgeous. JORD definitely did a wonderful job in their packaging.




When styling watches, it’s important to consider what colors you are wearing with it, as you would with any other accessory. Most people neglect the importance of watches, for we typically view them as time-telling device rather than a statement-making accessory. I personally adore wearing watches because they are useful, yet can really dress up an outfit without looking too cluttered or messy.





Here, this watch has a light brown wooden color, due to the material it is made of. There are no striking colors to it, which definitely makes it easier to style. The neutral brown can go well with almost anything, making it all the more versatile.

Here, Justin chose to complement the colors of the watch into the rest of his outfit. He chose to wear a tan sweatshirt with little to no design on it, which accentuates the subtle range of colors naturally present in the wood. The simplicity of the tan sweatshirt against black jeans really highlights the watch as a focal point. However, his brightly patterned shoes do catch the eye as well. He chose to wear brown and orange patterned shoes to further this color palette. Rather than wearing a monochrome outfit, the slight variation of color and pattern goes with the overall theme while adding some visual interest here and there to break it up.

I especially like the shoes he wore because of the unique pattern. That slight hint of color really brightens up the otherwise neutral outfit.

Styling the watch with a graphic tee and brightly patterned shoes definitely highlighted the casual element of the watch. This watch can easily be dressed up with perhaps a button down or sweater. Yet, it doesn’t look out of place in this otherwise relaxed look.





Being the photographer for these style photos was a different experience for me. I am usually the one in the photos, so being the one behind the camera and taking control of the angles was a fun experience. I do enjoy photography, but it’s different when working with someone else as the model. Luckily, he seems to work with the camera fairly well.

JORD Olive and Acacia Men's Style watch

What I love most about this watch is the open hardware design at the back. My friend and I were quite confused as to what it was. It almost looked like a compass of some sort. Either way, it definitely has an interesting, unique design.

I am really impressed with the quality of the watch. It's definitely a unique watch to wear and style than your typical watch, as it is made of wood. We were able to get it sized to fit his wrist. It did come slightly bigger, but perhaps we also didn’t measure it tight enough. It came with an extra link to enlarge if necessary. The watch doesn’t feel too heavy or bulky. It is the perfect everyday watch.



Regardless of the time of year, you always will find a need to shop. Whether it be for yourself, or for someone else. This JORD watch would make the perfect gift for a close friend or family member. Watches are not only useful, but also a great accessory to have for any occasion. Watches can complement any minimalist style, as they are complete in itself. But, you can also add some other bracelets as well if that’s more up your alley. There are numerous ways to style them, and they can make great everyday accessories.

I definitely recommend JORD watches if you are on the lookout for a great quality watch. Perhaps you want to try out this men’s style watch yourself, or you have a guy in your life you want to gift this to. Either way, you know this watch is calling your name. JORD also has other styles to select from as well. They have a huge selection of men's watches, as well as women's watches.

Huge thanks to JORD for sending me this watch. It is absolutely gorgeous, and  I am definitely not disappointed at all. I recommend checking out their site to see more of the olive and acacia watch I styled here, or to ogle the other ones they have to offer as well. I know I personally do that sometimes when I am feeling that shopping mood. JORD watches has great unique watches and cool watches to choose from. I've lately been having an obsession with watches, so this came at the right time for me. I used to wear watches more frequently. But when some of them ran out of battery, I never got them replaced and I stopped. Now, I picked up that trend again, and I can't imagine why I ever stopped.

BEFORE YOU GO!! I have a GIVEAWAY to share with you all!!

Enter the contest and you will be eligible to win a $100 e gift code!! However, if you enter at all, even if you do not win you can receive a $25 e gift code. You have until 11:59pm on March 5th to enter this contest!! Once the contest is over, a winner will automatically be selected and you will be emailed the coupon code! However, the code will expire on April 30th. So do not wait too long to redeem it!

IMPORTANT NOTE: it is NOT a FREE watch, but a $100 e gift code! This is super beneficial, as great quality watches can be on the pricier side. However, these watches, for their quality and style are worth it. With the coupon code, you will definitely be further enticed.

Click here to enter the contest! 

Don't forget to enter the contest! It never hurts to just try it out, you never know if your luck will pick up. It is a short time to enter, but there's still plenty of time to enter!

What did you think of this watch and how it was styled? Have you heard of JORD watches? How would you style this watch? Lemme know down in the comments below!! I would love to hear your thoughts!

Thanks for stopping by and reading! I hope you all enjoyed this post, and I wish you all a lovely week.


Til next time,
~A

Watch Gift Ideas