FORMAL ATTIRE

Dress: Forever 21 | Shoes: Ninewest | Bag: French Connection | Jacket: H&M

'Dressing up' for me typically means switching up my modus vivendi of sweats & sneakers to sweats, sneakers, & a statement necklace.  I've always been an advocate of comfort style which is really just a decorative way of saying I'm an advocate of dressing like a coach potato. This translates to me always wearing long dresses or skirts to formal occasions so no one can actually see the air force one's I'm wearing underneath.

Last night I attended the 2015 SOY (Shades of Yellow) Hmong New Year Event in Saint Paul with some family members, which celebrated the GBLT community here in the Twin Cities.  It was a beautiful night filled with beautiful people so I made the exception of pulling out the short dress & high heels (okay they were really only a 1/2 inch heel, but that's still progress!).  You'll see we got a little carried away with our selfie stick, but hey! We was feelin' ourselves!  Until security escorted us out...

BOYFRIEND

I know I’ve been gone for a long time.  But let’s pretend that I haven’t been so I can skip the part where I write my excuses.  Here are the key highlights to the last year of my life: I traveled.  I stood up in my first wedding.  I celebrated my golden birthday. I chopped off my hair.  I got my own health insurance. I went on a DIY craze. And last, but not least, I found my dream booties (showcased above) at Target for only $13!  There, now you know everything about my life again!
  

Boyfriend Blazer & Bag: H&M | Jeans: Banana Republic | Tee: Adidas | Shoes: Target 

DON'T CALL IT A COMEBACK

Don’t call it a comeback. I been here for years!

Something, something, something about fear!  Okay those are really all of the lyrics I {don’t} know from that song.  I’ve been on an extended leave just so I could someday return and use that ingenious line.  That, or I couldn’t remember my password to Blogger for the last 8 months.  I cannot confirm or deny either assertion. 

On a more serious note - I want to say that blogging is something I love to do.  I have always been an expressive and creative person by nature so blogging was always a cathartic endeavor.  Sometimes I go back and read my old blogs (which I will never share!) and laugh at my changeover in writing styles over the years.  My favorite is from my "angry phase" at 16  where I condemned everyone and everything in my entries.  I was 16!  What did I really have to be angry about?! I was so melodramatic.  To be fair, it started when Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake broke up.  My world has never been the same (still seeing a therapist once a month).  I've since moved on from being angry and transitioned into a more fitting "asinine-and-excessive-amount-of-run-on-sentences" type writing style.

A special thanks to my dear friend Davee for constantly bugging me and encouraging me to come back from hiatus.   And to anyone reading this: may you always find the time and heart to do the things you love, and the courage and kindness to pay the message forward.

MARCH MADNESS

The nascence of March and all of its' madness has circumvented humanity the last couple of weeks.  And while I am no longer in the running for that billion dollar check, I am still in the running for a Jr. Whopper in my tournament pool (beginner's luck is a beautiful thing!).

After a full day of taping pieces of my heart back together from all the game upsets this weekend - I decided some therapy would be necessary so I dragged the boyfriend to see Divergent with me!  Thankfully so, as the onscreen performance of Theo James was the perfect remedy for my low spirits and just what I needed to get my mind off of Jr. Whopper distress for a couple hours.

Temps were not in Spring's favor this day, so I really dressed for comfort.  I purchased this sweater 4 or 5 years ago while I was on vacation (mainly, because I just wanted to buy something while I was on vacation. I spent way more than I should have on it) and have only wore it a few times.  It's the perfect piece to throw over any outfit for warmth and comfort. It will likely be on repeat as both warmth and comfort have been scant this year.  I may just change my blog name to '500 Days of Winter'. That or something more palpable...like 'I Take Awkward Photos & Think I'm A Stand Up Comedian But Really No One Thinks I'm Funny'.
    

Cardigan: BCBG
T-shirt: H&M
Jeans: Seven For All Mankind (old)
Necklace: Forever21
Watch: Diesel
Mini iPad holder used as clutch: Herschel Supply Co
Boots: Polo Ralph Lauren

Old School

There will never be a generation that grew up in a better time than mine. The 90's aeon, with its classic cartoons, TV shows & fashion frivolities, were nothing short of  amazing. Not to mention the heavy rise of pop culture during this time. Seeing this t-shirt brought back all sorts of memories of childhood, as TLC was (and still is) one of my favorite girl groups of all time. I can't even begin to explain how 'Waterfalls' got me through my tragicomic 1 week relationship with my 1st grade boyfriend. Mainly because the boy's name was Jason and I thought the lyrics sang "don't go Jason waterfalls".

Paired the over-sized tee with a bandanna print button up & I befittingly favored the leader of a blood gang (henceforth me taking the photos on my back porch opposed to the front one this time).  I'll be the first to admit this is a predictable outfit for me as beanies, tees & leather, are orthodox for my every day ensemble. I've vigorously tried to part ways with my past, but I just can't seem to get away from always wanting to emulate a homeless man #stayingtruetomyroots.  

Photography by: Tommy Ng

Tee, Button up, & Beanie: H&M
Jeans: Free People (Old)
Jacket: TJ Maxx (Old)
Booties: Ralph Lauren

Latest & Greatest

Happy Saint Patrick’s Day!  Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend!  Mine was filled with things I was supposed to do and rain checks to the gym.  In other words, it was a lazy weekend for me :)  I'm officially on Spring Break from school so I've been preparing myself to be mentally and physically dormant this week.  The boy and I decided not to go anywhere this year since his parents recently surprised us by letting us know they booked a trip for us in August!  We will be going to Belize, Jamaica, and Cozumel!  It will be my first time leaving the country so I. AM. SO. EXCITED!!  Meanwhile, I’m enjoying my pseudo beach (aka bed) and my daily margaritas (aka lemon water).

In recent news - I've entered into the deepest phase of shoe mania.  What was supposed to be a one-stop-shop for a new pair of work heels recently ended up being a one-too-many-stops shopping experience.  I couldn't help myself, as each of my finds was under $30!  I even told the cashier to keep the change when he rang me up.  No. No, I really didn't.  I thought about it, but I needed lunch money.  Staying true to my black palette, here's my latest & greatest: 

1. Vince Camuto Heels, $29
2. Ralph Laurel Fringe Boots, $25
3. Nike AFI Light High Top Sneakers, $20
4. Nike Air Max Sneakers, $27

business casual

Happy Most Dreaded Day Of The Week!  It has indeed served as another manic Monday.  They even closed down college campuses in Minnesota today due to the severe cold!  That hasn’t happened since Jesus walked on water.  My boyfriend got his 3^rd “Cold Day” from work and was able to stay home.  Really? Who coddles their adult employees by giving them Cold Days?!  And do they have any current openings?  I prayed really hard my car wouldn’t start this morning, but I think even God got the day off.  Unfortunately, I was cursed into making the 45 minute trek into the office – but comfortably and fashionably so! 

I stuck to my basic blacks, whites, & grays for this ensemble.  Aside from the fact that my closet is barraged with these colors, I’ve also been in a dark mood lately from overdosing on episodes of my new favorite show The Following!  I devoted my entire weekend to it.  I  stayed up till 5 AM Saturday just to finish the first series; proving my unwavering loyalty.  Beware, World, I am on full cult awareness alert.  If you even look at me funny, I WILL not hesitate to pursue a roundabout kick I learned from Street Fighter III.

Blazer, Shoes: H&M
Waxed Pants: Old Navy ($7!)
Grey Sweater: Old Navy ($3!)
White Blouse: The Loft
Necklace: Zara
Clutch: NY&C