eggy sunday

DIY cut off thrifted shorts

DIY pyrite necklace

Random other jewelry

F21 poncho

Sam Edelman booties

Etsy ear cuff

What a crazy Easter day. Almost 50 people over at my parents house, delicious food, my dad talking about an orgy he went to once that ended up being a bunch of guys playing cards, teaching my aunt how to do haircuts, The Office, and watching funny/obscene youtube videos. Sounds like your typical Easter.  Oh, and my brother was in charge of "hiding" eggs around the backyard for the little kids egg hunt. I guess he wanted them to use their brains and be strategic? Or maybe just get hurt?

Recently I have been contacted about promoting stores and items, and after much thought I have decided to go about things a little differently. Some history here, first. I have had a job since I was a wee little 14 year old child, and since then (even before then, really) I have had to pay for anything I wanted. When I was younger, this was a huge embarrassing deal to me because my friends got whatever they wanted from their parents, and then there were my parents that would ask for money from us when we drove through Taco Bell. I had to pay for my car insurance since I could drive, cell phone when I was 16, and I even moved out of my parents house into an apartment when I was in high school. I paid for it all myself. This is not to say my parents were not ever monetarily supportive. If I needed to borrow, that was never an issue. But, I learned the value of money at a young age, and I am very conscious of where it goes now. Whatever I have wanted, I have done myself, with my own drive and motivation. It is hard to start out doing makeup with hardly a "real" makeup kit, but that is what I wanted to do, so after a lot of promoting myself, screwing up, spending my own time and money, and doing free portfolio work, I finally got where I wanted to be. Oh yeah, you guys probably didn't know - before hair came makeup. I have been doing makeup for about 7 years now. Hair for almost 3. I've got quite a bit on my resume for makeup, including tons of fashion shows, editorial work, cinema, yadda yadda. I am rambling, but the point is that I worked hard for what I wanted and appreciated and needed the support of everyone - and if it weren't for the smaller local businesses and artists out here, I would not have made it very far. 

SO with all of that probably unnecessary mumbo jumbo, I made the decision to promote and work with independent artists and designers that I believe in. I want to show everyone what I love, and I want everyone to support these people as well, if you also love their work. They are working hard to get their things out in the open, and I believe it shouldn't go unnoticed. There are some amazing people out there with amazing talent that deserve some spotlight. In future posts you will be seeing numerous independent  artists things (jewelry and such), and possible give-aways as well. Exciting, right? I am stoked about it. 

Another thing I am stoked on? These handmade rings. Phenomenal. Buy them here.

triangles triangles

Remember how I was in search for the perfect triangle necklace? Well, not only did I find one, but I also got the Erin Wasson triangle pendent as a gift. Two perfect triangle necklaces in one week, score. I am in love with them. Also, big fan of wearing both gold and silver together. If only I had some rose gold to mix in there...hmm..do I sense an hour+ long online shopping/browsing session coming on? 

I swear this city is windier than anywhere else. It didn't spell check "windier" so I will assume it is a real word though it looks wrong. Being a hair stylist here, especially working in one of Elle magazines Top 100 Salons in the USA (ahem, bragging) (2 years in a row might I add) you would assume my hair would look amazing every day. This wind really kills it. I live one block away from the salon, and in that block walk my hair gets completely ruined, I have flashed business men, and gravel flies into my face. All because of wind. Dumb.

On a sweeter note, I ate a GIANT rice crispy bar today. I mean HUGE. Probably at least 1,000 calories worth. That made my day. Food = my happiness. And good weather.

Erin Wasson Low Luv triangle pendant

My Salvation Geometry triangle necklace

Free People fringe top

H&M long cardigan

Jeffrey Campbell shoes

Random other jewelry

Thrifted leather bag

P.S. These babies...or this baby...will be arriving at my door shortly. What a wonderful gift. Been stalking these FP shorts for awhile now.

crochet 4 lyfe

One of my best friends came to my house with this top the other day. Pretty awesome, right? So, here are some quickies to show off her gift. Thank you, Lacey. :-) 

PS. I seriously have some cool awesome give-aways from some wicked independent sellers/artists in the near future. Keep watching to make sure you can get in on the amazingness. 

On a side note...I need this Asos top, right?

FreePeople winner, people!

After using random.org and counting and recounting and making sure that I had the number correct (while not repeating people who wrote multiple comments, and taking into consideration people who tweeted and posted), we have a winner! Ann! Congrats, lady. You will be wearing this in no time. Thank you to everyone who participated and don't worry...we have more give-aways in the making. Some amazing handmade jewelry in the mix...guess you'll have to stay posted to see. What do you guys like for give-aways? I'm a jewelry freak so of course I get excited about that. Also I get excited about food, which I have hardly anything of. PB&J with tots tonight?

Dreary week here. I feel awful for all of the people that have lost family and friends in the recent midwest tornados. Luckily we have steered clear here. I am ready for actual Spring weather to happen already. I keep telling myself that I want to move to the southwest or maybe to the middle east for some dry desert amazingness. I think I would do fine over there. I guess I just picture myself being Jasmin with a pet tiger and a palace to live in. I assume that is how life is living there as a woman, am I right people? ;-)

And thank you again readers for putting me in the Top 10 Up and Coming list for bloglovin. My blog is still new and I am still trying to figure it all out...so I really appreciate it. I am glad it is being enjoyed.

yellow jedzebel bag from india

american apparel cropped top

f21 maxi skirt

sam edelman booties

belt from stella

jewelry is thrifted and from venice

 

hoarder

I am a hoarder of 2 things. The first one being shorts. I like all shorts, so long as they aren't cargo. I think I buy more bottoms than I do tops, which ends up being quite frustrating when having to rush to get ready. (I am always rushing.) The other thing I hoard, as of late especially, are rings. I never spend too much on a single ring, most are found at flea markets and thrifting, with the occasional asos, etsy, or ebay buy thrown in there. After flea marketing today (is that even a verb, flea marketing?) I got 5 rings for only 10 bucks! Some are pictured here, but some you can't see. I couldn't really get all of my rings photographed without lining them all up, which looks and feels dumb. But, here is a glimpse into my lil collection. Most of my emails and comments seem to be about my jewelry, so I felt this was appropriate. Right? Do you guys like jewelry posts or do you really not care?  I'd like to know what people want to see. Where do you guys tend to buy jewelry from? I am seriously all over the place. Dinner time! Tata.

Free People give-away ends tomorrow. Enter here!

PS. #8 on Bloglovin's Top 10 up and coming blogs? Wow, thanks everybody. Golly. Making me blush. 

FREE PEOPLE give-away, people!

It's finally that time. Time to for what all of us bloggers love, a giveaway. And what better than one of my absolute favorite brands in the world? The light lavender color of this slip is gor-freakin-geous. Amazing over, or under pretty much anything. This giveaway is going until Monday, April 18th. The winner will be chosen at random, but of course I will have to check to make sure you complete the obvious typical "rules" before you have been announced as the winner. 

Make sure you:

1. Follow me on google friend connect

2. Follow me on bloglovin

3. Leave a comment here including your e-mail addy so I know how to contact you

Tweet or repost this give-away on your blog and receive an extra freebie count for each!

Can't wait to see who wins. Good luck, ya'll.

mara hoffman on the plains

I  got this dress awhile back, but haven't worn it much. It is one of those clothing items that are very...memorable. Something you can't wear often because everyone will know that you just wore it. Is this a dumb mindset? I can wear the same shorts, the same plain shirts, even not-so-plain tops and dresses, but this one is special. So detailed, and completely suited for my liking. Mara Hoffman gets me. She understands me, okay? Anyway, despite what these pictures depict, I do not live on a farm, nor do I live "in the country". I live in a pretty decent sized city, in the heart of downtown. I forget how peaceful (and incredibly windy) it can be outside of this city though. Sometimes the prairie and flat land can be the most beautiful. You've never seen so much sky, and so many stars until you've come here. What a beautiful day.

Dress from Bonadrag

Leopard jacket/cardigan from Be Yourself

Sam Edelman booties

thrifted leather purse

Cord/fringe necklace from Etsy

Rings and other jewelry are random

shock me shock me shock me with that deviant behavior

I've been wondering where I could find the perfect pair of neon denim shorts, browsing online, going through my old clothes to see if I had a forgotten pair...and then I found them. Thrifting. For a dollar. The perfect shade of hot pink, the perfect length, and the perfect amount of shreddage (I already know). I also found this belt! And a few rings that are pictured here, AND this sweater for a dollar! I need to be patient like I was today and do this more often. I am usually underwhelmed by all the clothing at thrift stores, and overwhelmed by how tightly packed they are on the racks. But this time I carefully looked through each rack at every piece until I found the right stuff. Seriously gotta be less impatient, because I would say I made out pretty well. I got a few other things I am going to rip up and tear...which I am sure will be on here sooner or later. I tried to make my boobs a bit smaller looking by wearing a tight cross-back unpadded bra thing from American Apparel underneath this, but no cigar. Freakin' boobs poking out like they own the pictures, being all moundy. UGH. 

Well, you know where I got all of my outfit besides my boots. They were a great find awhile back at a random cheap amaaaaazing shoe store in the middle of Westwood on the UCLA campus. I think they were MAYBE at the most $20.

Hair back to looking like a mop!

yikes, too clean looking.

I'm pasty white, I know. Not in fashion to be transparent these days. Was it ever, besides in China? Bronzed is the way to go for most, but I can't really get brown. I am a natural redhead with natural redhead skin. I spent a lot of time in the tanning bed when I was in my late teens, but now I just accept it. I am white. I still get some sun every once in awhile, and I can get some hint of pigment...but not like all of YOU. Jerks. Ha. But seriously, I love this top/dress. I got it at a boutique here actually this winter, and I have been excited to wear it. This is a little softer and "prettier" than I normally go, but it's good to switch things up every once in awhile. Hopefully the boots threw off that vibe a little. Can't be a major softy. Also, thank you to everyone that has nominated me for these blog award things. I am not quite sure what you get for it, if anything, besides recognition...but I do appreciate it. You guys are great. And if you didn't honor me for that stuff, you can suck it. Juuuuuuust kiiiddddddding. Love you. As much as someone can love someone they don't know.  I'm sure my blog will evolve into something much better, and I will be embarrassed of how I started it, considering I have only had this thing for less than 3 months now. I'm rambling. Off to eat my delicious dinner, pictured below. I am clearly a gourmet chef. This is about as classy and as high quality as I know how to make. Waffles and mac&cheese with hot dogs coming in a close second and third. 

Mystree dress

Cheap Monday cube bracelet

big necklace from Eyes of the World

crystal necklace from Euphoria

boots, crap, can't remember

Honest to God I eat adult food when I am not at home. But mmm, tots.