All For The Jewelry

All For The Mountain - YAAAY Pendant

"YAAAY" indeed. This piece caught my eye quite awhile ago during my usual perusing of Bona Drag. I I think it was the whole "skeletal hand but not really" thing. Does that even make sense? Anyway, it's been buried somewhere in my ridiculous myriad of "wish list" bookmarks since I could never justify the price, nor was it in my budget to do so. Eventually, I let it slip my mind, as usual (hence the ridiculous myriad).

Fast forward a couple of months later, I get an e-mail informing me of a 25% off site-wide sale. Heck. Yes. I jumped on it, in a way similar to Nima would when she sees her bedtime Greenies.

It is now a constant attachment to my neck. Give me jeans and an old t-shirt any day, but I can't be without at least one piece of jewelry that's looking to make an impression. 

I really adore their packaging!

How amazing is that clasp?

All For The Mountain, I will definitely be checking back.

This New Year Means Something To You

Credit: Harvest Moon

Happy New Year to all who celebrate the lunar calendar! It is said that the Dragon will bring change, from bad to good, so may you all find good luck this year. ^^

Here's to a year of health, wealth, love, and life!

Health Nudge: Move Out of Your Comfort Zone

For the past couple of months, I've been reading up on and trying healthier ways of eating. The start of it was absolutely horrible - I had to give up on a majority of things I used to eat (and eat things I didn't like) on a daily basis! I read articles, books, blogs, anything I could get my hands on...and ended up totally overwhelmed. How and where was I going to start?! First and foremost, I had to move out of my comfort zone. One of the problems with our diets today is that most of us have a routine of going to our neighborhood supermarket; we only see what they offer, and probably buy and eat the same things every week. Well folks, there's a whole different world of  veggies, fruits, spices, and alternative products available out there - it just takes a little extra effort to get them! Local farmers markets are one of the best places to go for variety and FRESH produce. As for stores, I generally prefer Mother's Market, Sprouts (formerly Henry's?), and Trader Joe's.

Something I found interesting and extremely beneficial: the detox tea. It sounds a little bit intimidating, but it's wonderful and super easy to make! Ingredients you'll need: hot water, lemon, ginger, and cayenne pepper.

First, you'll want to cut a slice of ginger. I broke them up into smaller pieces, but leaving it is fine, too. It's all about preference!

Next, slice the lemon in half.

After getting those two prepared, put the ginger in a cup you'll be using and pour in the hot water. Wait until the temperature is OK for drinking, and squeeze in all of the lemon juice (don't put the actual lemon in!). Add a dash of cayenne pepper, and you're good to go.

Easy, right?

The combination of ginger and cayenne pepper is a little potent at first, but stick with it! If you find it too harsh, you could also add in a little bit of natural sweetener. 

Benefits:

- Boosts your immune system.

- Promotes blood circulation.

- Anti-viral properties help with colds.

- Flushes out toxins from your body.

- Perfect for winter.

Finding natural remedies for health issues are like finding treasures, to me. I'm a huge advocate and believer of natural medicine. Why put harmful chemicals in your body, when mother nature already provides what you need? :)

That said, eating healthy doesn't mean living in deprivation. If you want to eat ice cream, go for it. If you want to eat a cookie, by all means. Give yourself a little room to cheat, as long as you're eating clean and healthy for the most part! As hard as it was at the beginning, it's almost become second nature by now. I've noticed marginal improvements to my health, so I definitely encourage you to try. You owe it to yourself and your body, don't make excuses! 

Obsessiones Temporis

Hello early January! Is anyone else having trouble writing 2012 when it comes time to date something  (Reminder to self: buy some new planner refills)? xD 

Anyhow, I thought it'd be fun to share a few things that have got me quite smitten at the moment. My interests are ever changing, but so far I've been stuck on these enchanting specimens for awhile now.

Lemon water

I absolutely covet this. I don't do well with sour, so it was a little hard to swallow at first, but I love it now! I drink 1 cup first thing in the morning, and 1 at night. Why drink it? Amazing benefits: 

- Boosts your immune system
- Helps absorption of calcium

- Aids with digestion & elimination

- Promotes weight loss

- Controls high blood pressure

- Purifies blood

- Reduces colds/fevers/flus

Seriously. My skin feels great (I've noticed a huge decrease in acne), I sleep better, I've lost weight, I have more energy, I feel more alert...it's basically eliminated my mentality of needing coffee. I know. Awesome. Interested? Two cups a day, half of 1 lemon each cup, in WARM water (first cup should be before breakfast). I promise you'll love it. :)

Isabel Marant (Etoile; virgin wool jacket, laird top)

Because...well...who wouldn't be after spending some time in her clothes? Granted, everything is depressingly out of my budget, but eBay and clearance racks often save the day! ;) Admiration comes to play every time I see her collections; her ability to transform simplicity into elegance makes it all so darn captivating. Three or four years ago, I wouldn't have been able to snipe her pieces so easily (yep, was definitely searching high & low to no avail), so I really have to thank the "fashion gods" for her ever increasing popularity in the US. Ha! 

Burberry, Forever 21, Iosselliani, Pamela Love, local artists, gifted bunny ring holder

Jewelry, jewelry, jewelry. I was never interested in it. Something changed. I'm infatuated. I have a love/hate relationship with the process of making them, but I definitely love the outcome. 

kaorinomori

Hats!!! I'll be the first to admit that I have a big head; a lot of hats don't fit me - they're either too tight, or look weird - so more often than not, I jump on it like buried treasure when something comes across. Arth in Costa Mesa definitely satisfies the need. ^^

Instagram

I honestly think this is one of the best apps to date. I always find myself taking/uploading some type of daily picture on this thing everyday. 

I'm probably missing a few things but I'll save those for another post. I hope everyone's year has started off decently, if not spectacularly! <3

Time Projectile

It's that time of year again...a time for new beginnings. 

2011 has been an interesting ride, to say the least. The year kicked off with a breathtaking hello - and a heart-wrenching goodbye -from Jonny's long awaited journey across the pond. I watched family members and friends commit to their partners through matrimony, have insanely cute babies, build homes, and start careers. I stood by proudly, watching from the sidelines, as each friend set off to do whatever it took to make their dreams come true. 

I started and stopped projects, took classes here and there, but in the end got nowhere. That's okay...you can't succeed without failing, right? "I failed my way to sucess," as Thomas Edison put it. But...what exactly was I trying to achieve? What are my dreams, really? I don't think I ever stopped to think about what I really wanted to do, I mostly just assumed. "I've liked clothes and fashion since I was little, so that's what I'm going to do," is what I've always told myself. I put in the work - my blood and tears - to learn the technical side of the industry. I loathed and loved it all the same. Problem? I don't think I loved it enough, and I realized that when I found myself refusing to move for jobs and putting off projects. 

So...what then? I played wandering leaf in the wind for awhile, floating around to random tasks but never making anything of them. I was frustrated. Everything was agitating. My fuse was so short it was almost non-existent. I didn't want to DO anything. Everything that came out of my mouth was offensive. My poor parents (Jonny, too) had to put up with my BS.

I was losing my figurative shit.

I decided to stop. If things kept up, they'd only spiral more out of control than they already were, and I'd be greeting depression with open arms. I closed myself off, especially from my friends. I didn't respond to conversation. Social networking sites? Whatever. I certainly didn't blog on here, obviously. 

My mind was going a mile in minute. Scratch that, it was running a damn triathlon. Instead of emphasizing what I didn't have, I started thinking about what I did have: unconditional love and support from my amazing parents, a roof over my head, a car, the cutest dog in the world, a closet full of clothes enough to last me a lifetime, and bills I didn't have to pay for on my own. Basically...a bunch of things offered to me on a silver platter. Basically...I was being a whiny spoiled brat. Then it hit me: I got things way too easily without working hard for them. Evidence is in the pictures above. Criticize away. My parents work hard for their money, so where the heck do I get off barely trying? Since when did I lose focus on who I was? I used to be gung-ho about anything I set my mind to. 

Where does this leave me for 2012?

1. Bettering my health (mentally and physically): Cutting out all heavily processed products and going organic. Less coffee. Less meat. More water. More veggies. Power walks. Yoga. 

2. Support myself: Setting out to accomplish my goals with a vengeance. No more slacking. This is the year I start my career. No more relying on my parents for...everything.

3. Temper, temper: Extend my patience...by a lot. 

4. Hold my judgements.

5. Dedicate more time to the charities and non-profits I support.

6. Learn, learn, learn: Take more classes, read more books.

7. Less excuses.

8. Spend more time with friends: Honestly, I've been crap at it.

9. Get rid of my crap. Serious clutter in my house.

10. Be happy.

I have a good feeling about 2012.

"Happy New Year", indeed.

Namaste.

Anyone who says sunshine brings happiness has never danced in the rain.

 Pageboy sweater; Joie leather shorts; Cynthia Vincent Stella flats

I'll preface this by saying I don't enjoy hot weather in the least...suffice it to say I don't own many "summery" clothes (despite living in Southern CA...I know, I know) - I'm pretty much at a loss when it's hot. Total fall/winter nerd. 

Oversized sweater on a 99 degree weather day? You betcha.

I'm ridiculously obsessed with this Pageboy sweater I managed to get my hands on in Macau 2 years ago (it's like a blanket with sleeves, but way better than a snuggie, obviously). Totally kicking myself for not getting the grey version, too, it really is way too perfect for just about anything.

Falling Whistles necklace; Pamela Love ring; Iosselliani ring; Marc by Marc Jacobs Icon watch; Tibetan gau necklace; Red Coral prayer beads

last but not least...

gratuitous picture of little Nima.

xx

Rorschach Test

(Boessert-Schorn "cape" available @ RevolveClothing, DannijoxFashiontoast necklace @ Tobi)

If by cape they mean poncho. Not gonna lie, I kind of like that ponchos are making a comeback. They're absolutely perfect for days when you can't be bothered...throw them on over a tank and some jeans and you'll be a stylish lazy ass instead of just a lazy ass. 

This Boessert-Schorn "cape" certainly stands out on it's own with the crazy bold Rorschach-like patterns. It has potential as a conversation piece if you spread out your arms and ask someone what they see...but that might take a turn in the wrong direction. Unless that's what you're going for...

...

Anyways. I love it. Though the double-knit wool might be a little warm for the summer...not to mention the fact that a long chunky turtleneck is attached, in case you want to hide your face, too. 

xx