OXYGEN

MERRIN & GUSSY: LOOK #2

Triangle Pendant c/o Merrin & Gussy, Asymmetrical Chiffon Dress c/o Oasap, Rope Belt (From a fabric store),  Gold Claw Bangle c/o Merrin & Gussy, White Faux Leather Backpack c/o Yeswalker, Nude Ankle Strap Pumps from Nine West

Today's look is a soft, all white look that is inspired by the air, flight, and purity. This spring, I am in love with heavenly looks, which is why I have been so fond of white in my past few outfits!  I accessorized my flowy dress from Oasap with my claw bangle, to evoke the idea of a bird, and my triangle pendant, to similarly represent an arrow in flight! Both pieces of jewelry are from Merrin & Gussy. I also tossed on my white backpack because it reminded me of a parachuting backpack! :)

I'm happy to say I survived the first week of finals madness. It was pretty unfortunate that my 14-18 page research paper and APES final were both on the same day ;-; My eyes were so exhausted from all the studying I did Thursday night that they were tearing up like crazy even though I wasn't crying! This week, I have my AP Comparative Government final on Friday, and then right after school gets out, I am going to rush to the movie theater to get in line to see Iron Man 3 with my friends! I want to go to the midnight premiere on Thursday night so badly, except I would be much too tired in the morning and probably wouldn't do as well on my final. I'm sad I will miss out on all the other festive people who dress up for the midnight showings!

PS: If you can, please vote for me here, in Vanity Fair's International Best Dressed Challenge! Thank you so much guys! <3

CLANDESTINE

Circle Lens Ray Bans c/o SmartBuyGlasses, Black Asymmetrical Top c/o IAnyWear, Black Lace Shorts c/o Oasap, Black Thigh Highs (with XO Grip) c/o Soxxy, Lace Up Booties from White Mountain

If you're short like me (I'm only 5'3"), thigh high socks can do wonders to make you appear super tall! These one from Soxxy have a special silicone grip inside the top that keep the socks in place and stop them from falling down. I wore them with my black lace shorts to show off the socks and paired the shorts with an asymmetrical top to add more dimension to the look. My black booties are perfect to wear with long black socks; they seamlessly add even more height to this look!

I'm also entering Vanity Fair's International Best Dressed Challenge to win a spot on their best-dressed list in the September 2013 issue so if you guys wouldn't mind taking a second to vote for my looks here, I would really appreciate the support! <3

CLOUD NINE

DIY Flower Crown, Chain Crosses Necklace c/o Merrin & Gussy, Light Blue Chiffon Jacket c/o IAnyWear, White Lace Bustier from Nasty Gal, White Skinny Belt from Forever 21, Paisley High-Waisted Shorts c/o Motel Rocks, White Faux Leather Backpack c/o Yeswalker, Nude Ankle-Strap Pumps from Nine West

I've been very drawn to light blues and heavenly whites, combined with gold accents this spring! It's very interesting to look back on my outfits from a few months ago and see how much my style has evolved. Although I do still dress in lots of dark colors with grungier vibes every now and then, I have noticed that I either prefer putting together outfits with no trace of black at all, or outfits of all black. Today I am wearing a hooded chiffon jacket from IAnyWear and a pair of paisley shorts to match from Motel Rocks! This faux leather backpack from YesWalker was the last major element to this ensemble and I'm really happy with this backpack! Most of the white backpacks I find are made out of canvas which can get dirty quickly, but you can clean faux leather rather easily! It's the perfect sized bag for me to use when I go out on the weekends :)

These next three weeks are going to be really hectic because of finals, my design research project, and AP exams during the beginning of May. There's so much homework and studying that needs to be done each night and everyone at school is tense and suffering from varied degrees of senioritis. The one redeeming thing about this "oncoming storm" is Iron Man 3 coming out next Friday (for those of us in the US). That is what I am using to motivate myself at the moment!!

FLORA & FAUNA

MERRIN & GUSSY: LOOK #1

DIY Flower Crown, Floral Print Blazer c/o Forward To All, Pretty Pictures Pendant c/o Merrin & Gussy, Sheer White Blouse c/o Oasap, Brown Skinny Belt from Forever 21, Floral Print Shorts c/o Forward To All, Nude Ankle-Strap Pumps from Forever 21

From the floral print suit set, the flower crown, the picturesque pendant, to the tropical-looking background, everything in this look harmonized perfectly and for that reason, this is my favorite look up to date! I've never owned a suit set before, but I've always wanted one. When I saw these floral print pieces from Forward To All, I admit that I almost died from happiness! I first fell head over heels in love with the photographic floral print, but upon realizing that they were matching separates, I have no idea how I managed not to faint!!

Of course it's much too hard for me to pass up the opportunity of wearing a flower crown with floral print ;) And there was no better necklace to match, than this picturesque pendant featuring a photo of two colorful birds from Merrin & Gussy! For the remainder of the look, I kept it simple with a white blouse and nude pumps. Even though it's already spring, I'm definitely going to miss being able to wear outfits like these (with a pair of nude tights nonetheless) in the dead of the winter in California, once I move to NY and have to adjust to winters where it actually snows!

LAVENDER

Purple Rose Crown (Out of stock, but can be made to order) c/o Roses & Clementines, White Asymmetrical Top from Forever 21, Tusk Necklace c/o Romwe, Purple Ombre Maxi Skirt c/o Sugarlips, Nude Ankle-Strap Pumps (On sale!) from Nine West

I am always looking to expand my collection of floral crowns (although I usually just end up making them myself because I'm picky about the ones I see in store) so I was really happy when Rachael, one of my new favorite style bloggers and also the designer behind Roses & Clementines, offered to send me one from her shop! :) It was hard to pick because all of them are beautifully made and have such pretty color palettes. Aside from flower crowns, she also sells floral collar tips, bobby pins, and rings. And she does custom orders too for those of you who want to further customize your floral accessories!

Naturally, I had to pair the purple rose crown with my purple ombre skirt from Sugarlips because the two pieces matched so well. For the top, I chose this white, asymmetrical piece from Forever 21, and accessorized with my tusk necklace from Romwe. I wore this outfit yesterday to go out to lunch with my family, and it was also windy, so it was a perfect day to wear this skirt since it has slits on both sides!

Don't forget to enter the Quay Sunglasses giveaway from Forward To All here, if you haven't already! And I am also going to be starting a closet on Material Wrld, to sell pieces from my wardrobe that I don't really wear that much, including some of my Jeffrey Campbell shoes, so I'll link you guys to it when it's ready! :) Have a wonderful weekend! <3

TROPICS

Aztec Pullover Top c/o Ellysage, Crosses Maxi Skirt c/o Lulu's, Nude Ankle-Strap Pumps (On sale!) from Nine West

The best thing about this maxi skirt from Lulu's is how elegant and eye-catching it is, without revealing more skin than you would normally expose when wearing a pair of high-waisted shorts, which are known to be of even shorter lengths! There is a pair of loose fitting shorts sewn into the skirt so you don't have to worry about the wind blowing the skirt up either! You can dress the skirt up for a formal event or pair if with a casual pullover like I did here, making it a lovely and semi-dressy look for any typical day out and about.

And remember these sunglasses from my last outfit post? Here is the giveaway for my blog readers courtesy of Forward To All! These Quay Eyewear sunglasses retail for $40 and have 100% UV protection so this is a really awesome giveaway! :) To enter, follow the instructions on the widget below. This giveaway will end in one week and the winner will be contacted via Facebook!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good luck to everyone entering, and make sure you fulfill all 3 steps for your entry to count! Have a great weekend :) I know I will, because it's finally spring break!!

APRIL WISHLIST

As much as I enjoy doing outfit posts, I also love putting together collages of items I can only dream of all having in my own closet! These are a couple collages I've styled, revolving around pieces I've been in love with from Max Studio's Spring/Summer 2013 collection. I chose an assortment of low priced and high priced items to construct these looks so hopefully you can find some new spring inspiration within your budget to incorporate into your own closet!

Max Studio Silk Georgette Blouse, Topshop White Skinny Jeans, Nasty Gal Mint Purse, Alexander Wang Bianca Snake Pumps, Roses & Clementines Flower Crown

For this look, I went for a mermaid-warrior inspired look! The armor-esque strips on the top and the leather accessories keep the look tough, while the fresh white and mint color palette is perfect for spring.

 Max Studio Silk Organza Dress, Zana Bayne Leather Harness, Anastacia Cat Eye Sunglasses, Ann Taylor Fingerless Gloves, Jeffrey Campbell Foxtrot Sandal

This is a darker, more dressy look that would be perfect for a formal occasion. The leather harness can be worn over the dress to toughen it up, while the cat eyes, gloves, and black sandals give this ensemble a romantic flair.

Max Studio Silk Charmeuse Blouse, Hudson Floral Print Jeans, River Island Light Pink Beanie, Juicy Couture White Crossbody Purse, Nine West Nude Ankle-Strap Pumps

This is a fun and light look that would be perfect for going shopping or a lunch date! The soft, silk blouse and floral jeans will keep you comfortable, while the beanie adds a casual touch. A crossbody purse is convenient and stylish while a pair of lower pumps will allow you to say on your feet all day.

Max Studio Satin Stretch Skirt, Forever 21 Lace Bustier, River Island Geometric Clutch, Forward To All Cutout Cuff, BCBG Estie Sandal

I'm crazy about the pleats and folds on this skirt! I'd pair it with a fitted lace bustier top to counter the volume of the skirt, and accessorize with a pair of cutout heels to match the intricacy of the skirt. A geometric purse and cutout cuffs add the finishing touches to this elegant look.

Which look was your favorite? Tell me in the comments! :)

 And for more designer womens clothing, you can browse through the other lovely pieces at Max Studio!

DREAMACHINE

Cat Ear Beanie from H&M, Quay Sunglasses c/o Forward To All, "Hold On" Nylon Dress c/o Dreamachine Clothing, Rhinestone Cuff from Express, Dark Grey Socks (with XO Grip) c/o Soxxy, Lace Up Booties from White Mountain

Today I'm sporting this amazing nylon dress from the newly launched and Australia-based, Dreamachine Clothing, which was started by 18 year old Alice Keltie! It's important to me to support other young adults on my blog who are already doing amazing things and Alice is no exception. She is not only incredibly driven but also extremely kind and I'm happy that we've grown to become good friends! Right now, there are 8 leggings and 1 dress to choose from, but she will be adding a lot more dresses soon, as well as a line of swimwear in July/August. All the prints she chooses are very fashion-forward and I was immediately impressed by how well printed the graphics were. There is nothing not to like about her nylon garments; they are unbelievably soft, perfectly sewn, and super comfortable! The prices are affordable and a bargain when quality is taken to account so do take a look and support Alice's new business :) Below, I've also linked to my 2 favorite leggings: the Vintage Map Leggings and the Compass Leggings!

For the rest of the look, I styled the dress with my cat ear beanie and these oversized sunglasses by Quay Eyewear from Forward To All. I never really cared much for black oversized sunglasses in the past but once I tried these on, I really liked how they flattered my face shape! Forward To All will be doing a giveaway on my blog for these shades soon so if you like them, you also have a chance to win a pair for yourself! The socks I'm wearing, from Soxxy, also have a cool feature to them: a silicone "XO" grip inside the top rim of the socks to hold them up all day long. This is especially handy for thigh high socks that have a tendency to fall down. It makes more sense to pull the socks all the way up, but I scrunched my knee-high Soxxy's down and I like that they stayed at the length I wanted, rather than bunching up unevenly.

And the best news for last: I'M OFFICIALLY GOING TO PARSONS!!! Although I did receive a merit scholarship from the school which I am really thankful for, in the end, we have to pay the majority of the cost. There's no doubt that it's a lot of money but my parents agreed that the education I will get and the resources and connections I will get at Parsons are worth the money. I started crying last night when my parents told me I could go ;-; I would have loved to get a huge financial aid package from the school (but who doesn't?) but it made me realize how fortunate I am to not only have parents who support me in my dreams of becoming a fashion designer but also that taking out loans (albeit a lot) is an option my family can actually take. We often forget that there are so many talented students who have to turn down their dream school because despite how much their family may want to send their child there, they just can't take out that many loans even if they wanted to. I love you Mom and Dad for making the sacrifices so I can attend Parsons and thank you for this and everything else you have ever done for me. I won't let you down. And thank you to all my readers who have offered me words of support and congratulations about Parsons! I am excited, grateful, and blessed to be able to study with the Parsons Class of 2017 this fall!

MIDAS TOUCH

Gold & Turquoise Necklace c/o Lulu's, Cowl Neck Top c/o Chicnova, Gold Skater Skirt c/o Awwdore, Nude Ankle-Strap Pumps from Nine West

I have a penchant for cowl neck tops because they drape so beautifully and give off that effortlessly, put together look! This one is from Chicnova and I love the way it looks like liquid gold. There are lots of ways that you can wear this top: pulling the neckline down for a scooped neckline, draping it across your shoulders for a wide neckline, or pulling it down on one-shoulder! I wore mine with my metallic skirt from Awwdore and this gold and turquoise necklace from Lulu's to create a luxurious, desert-inspired look!

Sadly, it isn't spring break for my school yet––we still have one more week to go! Everyone is barely hanging on! I think we are the last school in our general area who still has yet to go on break. I'm rather exhausted from the fashion show last weekend and figuring out how to pay for college can be pretty mentally and emotionally draining but I hope that it will all work out in the end so that I can attend Parsons this fall. I wish that college wasn't so expensive now but I don't know anyone who thinks differently! Anyways, I hope you all have a great weekend and don't forget to enter the Siren London giveaway here. Much love to you all!

RISE & SHINE

DIY Flower Crown, White Baroque Sunglasses c/o Oasap, Pink Southwestern Muscle Tee c/o ShopAkira, Pink Skinny Jeans c/o 2020AVE, Pale Yellow Wedges from Victoria's Secret

After realizing last month that I almost never wear pink, I became really obsessed with acquiring light pink garments in particular! When this pink muscle tee from ShopAkira and pink skinny jeans from 2020AVE arrived at my house, I had to pair them together because they matched so perfectly! A look of mine wouldn't be complete without a headpiece of course so I picked my white flower crown and spruced up the look with these white baroque sunglasses to match. 

I also have a new giveaway for you guys, courtesy of Siren London who has offered to giveaway an Angel Wing Ring to 5 of my readers! :) To enter, follow the instructions below. This giveaway will end in one week, on April 10th. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

PS: If you are reading this post on April 4th, it is Robert Downey Jr's birthday!!! YAY!