Coachella is coming soon and even though I can't wait, I've also been too busy to really plan out any outfits. Yikes! I'm slowly getting there though. And since Spring has also now officially sprung, I thought it was a great time to share this light, festival-friendly look.



I've always loved the laced up look and was more thrilled than anyone for its big comeback. I decided to take it a little further and pair this light top from Urban Outfitter fave, Project Social T, with some laced up shorts as well. The faux suede was airy and breathable enough for a hot day, though the tan of these Forever 21 lace-up shorts did lowkey give me an Indiana Jones feel.



I also wore this lovely floral crown by Rust and Thistle Floral for a bit, a party favor from the pastel brunch I had rushed over from for this shoot. It seemed pretty appropriate with April coming within just days time...




And finally, I wore my fenty Puma creepers to complete this look. To be honest, I consider blush to be a neutral and I cannot ever get enough of the color! I am pretty sure that's been apparent through my feed lately. Also, I know I come off as quite serious in a lot of my posts and the accompanied writing, so here's some fun proof that I'm actually a goofy goober (above). 'Til next time... xx

There have been different variations of the well-known saying, "don't just be eye candy, be soul food" floating around for ages. The general concept behind this is pretty straightforward, but still something that our hardened generation of millenials easily forgets to implement. We put so much effort into branding ourselves, making the right connections, networking for our personal goals, moving on from one relationship to the next... We often forget that the quality of even just one connection can be more fulfilling than having a quantity of faces and numbers in our contacts list. Relationships in turn become more and more lacking, empty and void of substance. Full of fake interactions or fake emotions; things we aren't even certain can hold the test of time.


As I've grown older, I've realized the importance of substantial connections. I've also realized the importance of my own time. Because of this I make certain not to waste precious moments on unfulfilling situations or relationships. In turn, I do my best to give my full self to others or to situations in which I involve myself in, rather than allowing things to remain at a superficial standstill. I'm not interested unless it's something that feeds my soul, gnaws at my brain or makes me blush. Something that gets my heart pumping: something real and worthwhile.

Generally speaking, the older you get, the more in tune you become with this mindset. This falls in step with everything, not just people. Substantial clothing is something noteworthy and significant as well. That's where ifchic comes to play with this little number in mind: one of the best online destinations for chic, sophisticated pieces at a great deal. With their #ifchic24 program which is essentially just a hide & seek involving virtual coins, they make finding the best price a fun game.


IfChic carries brands for the modern woman on the go. This leopard Nine Lives skort was a piece from C/MEO Collective which I'd had my beady little eyes on for quite some time. Unfortunately, my budget had other ideas in mind. That's where ifchic came into play: by logging on and window shopping almost daily, I was able to collect enough hidden virtual coins to pay only a fraction of the price of the skort, and I ended up purchasing it at such a low price that I almost felt like I was getting away with a crime.

Since the wind and rain seem to be making a temporary home in the bay area this spring as of late, I decided to pair the skort with a comfy hi-lo roll-neck sweater and my favorite patent, rain-resistant boots from Ego. I love how these boots can add a touch of class to any outfit, all while remaining sturdy and reliable through any weather. To keep the light, feminine vibes going, I added a touch of ruffle through my sock game.


Substance and soul can be found in even the most surprising of places. For example, I've been able to find such solstice within this oversized sweater I wear way too much from Forever 21. The problem with our generation is not necessarily that we lack substance. It's that we don't attempt to share or see any deeper than the hard outer shell of the eye candy that is given at face value. In turn, we take valuable personalities, relationships and situations for granted. My challenge to you all for the week is to really look deeper into someone or something you may have easily overlooked in the past. You might be pleasantly surprised at how fulfilling it truly can be, if only you allow yourself to really delve deeper below the surface, whether it be yours or another's... 'til next time, xx

It's a new week, and yes, I actually do have a new post! Trying to go back to consistency again, as promised. I mentioned in my last update that emotional growth was a big part of my slight blogging hiatus. This came to mind again after the weekend I just had. But first, let me just touch on how excited I am to drop this fuego that I shot with the homie Elvis Dinh, with two brands you're already probably real familiar seeing on my person.


As most do, I also have a "uniform" of sorts that I tend to gravitate towards when putting my fits together, especially when going out anywhere. This consists of distressed black jeans, combat boots, and some sort of top—nothing too crazy. For a daytime look, I threw on this light outwear I received from SheIn, and one of my favorite hats from one of my favorite brands—Petals and Peacocks.

To be quite blunt, though I do love the design and style of the SheIn piece, I was a bit disappointed by the quality when I received the item. SheIn is a great place to find affordable, on-trend pieces, but the quality itself does tend to be a roulette of sorts. Regardless, I do find myself adding this light hooded outwear onto a lot of outfits for some added flare and layering.


Now spin the beat back a little bit to what I first brought up: emotional growth. I am a firm believer that any negative event that occurs in my life is simply a necessity—a test of strength, if you will. Nothing confirms this thought more than recent events. Being disrespected by someone you cared about enough to consider their emotions, to make them a part of your daily routine, is something anyone with even the smallest of hearts can relate to being somewhat pride-shattering. But to get more personal—because why the hell not?—it's something that my old self would've curled into a ball over. Not anymore.

Spending time to really reflect internally on my own self was something I really needed, as I've mentioned a number of times. The way I reacted to such disrespect this time around really showed me that it was a fruitful hiatus, and most definitely not an effortless attempt at growth. Instead of victimizing myself into an emotional wreck like I might've done in the past, I reflected back on my self-worth and knew that this lack of respect was not something I deserved. And not just that, but it was also not something that I should blame myself for. The best thing to do in any toxic situation where your own needs are not being met, is simply to walk away. No need to let the toxicity break you or your spirit: you are worth more. This ability to walk away gave me such a strong sense of reaffirmation; pride in my emotional growth. It really let me believe that the human heart & mind, is something that is truly limitless. You can do anything you put your mind to—as cliche as the saying is.


Don't ever be afraid to step outside of your comfort zone into something better. So many times I see people I care for allowing themselves to suffer just because they're too afraid to let go of toxic situations; too afraid of all the change, etc. Let me tell you right now—the real reason the chicken crossed the road is because life's better on this side. Come on over, we're waiting... xx