*splish splash

***

Darlings, happy to report that I am in sunny Miami, treating myself to a very well-deserved graduation present!

This past year has been without-a-doubt very rigorous and it's nice to have time to kick-back, drink lots of wine and relax.

The weather in Miami is absolutely gorgeous now; not too hot, but sunny and warm enough to tan by the pool, cocktail in hand, something that I have been taking FULL advantage of!

Lots of fashion coming up lovelies...

...right after I return from the beach. *wink*

Enjoy this wonderfully appropriate editorial featured in this month's Vogue Australia's issue.

"Splash Out" featuring Edita Vilkeviciute; shot by Gilles Bensimon

...wish I could look like that on the beach.

xx

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*throwback thursday_paris

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Grr...

You would not believe how long it has taken me to sit and construct this post...but with it being Thursday and with Paris Fashion Week recently concluding, I thought no time like the present, right?

So, let's get to it, shall we?

For those unaware, during the Fall 2012 semester, I did a study abroad in Wroxton, England, that afforded me the wonderful opportunity to travel and experience new and unseen things [which can only be a plus, right?]. I knew that, having such wondrous adventures, I would be changed; documenting that became the inspiration for this blog!

While the school provided many excursions within England itself, we were also given the chance to spend one weekend in Edinburgh and one in Paris...

...clearly, I put off writing about Paris...till now.

Paris was unique.

What I found was that, amongst my travel companions, the group preferred Edinburgh. However, I do think that this was for two main reasons.

1: the existence of a language barrier [but I'm sure that would be a turn off for most of you]
2: people had low expectations for Edinburgh [maybe not the first place that comes to mind, especially when you are at Europe's helm] and found themselves pleasantly surprised, but had high expectations for Paris and found themselves slightly disappointed.

I thought that it was different. While it wasn't what I expected, I [would like to hope that I] appreciated it for what it was. It was a gorgeous city, with beautiful architecture, lots of culture and there was creativity in the air. On the other hand, I guess to be expected of any metropolitan area, it wasn't the cleanest place I've been and the crowds were so massively unbearable.

Cute! A little cartoon replica of the city!
NB: La Tour Eiffel, Notre Dame, Le Louvre et L'Arc Triomphe

But enough of my experiences, we all know what you are here for; the fashion.

To be expected, there was lots of shopping...whatever you desired, from high-end to couture to thrift-shop goodies.

And with clothing options in abundance, the street style was out of this world. You could tell that Parisians live up to their reputation of being fashion forward. Everyone was so well put together, down to the little shop assistants! Everyone was stylish but still managed to be unique. Isn't that what fashion aims to impart?

I was fortunate enough to find this little online guide book created by the Paris Convention & Visitors Bureau which has a link to the different types of styles or personalities one may encounter in Paris and a large selection of boutiques where one might find clothing to suit.

The unique aesthetics, adapted from the guide, include;

*Les Sélects | The Selective Ones
      -You like French elegance and style, established brands and clothing that never goes out of style.
*Les Trendys | The Trendy Ones
      -You keep up with the latest trends by browsing through the newest glossy magazines; thus your wardrobe changes every season.
*Les Créatifs | The Creative Ones
      -You are a trendsetter, putting together your own style; you wear today what others will wear tomorrow.
*Les Bobos Chics  | The Bourgeois-Bohemian Chic Ones
      -You take care of your appearance but are not too concerned with your look. You mix timeless basics with designer pieces blending classic and modern.
*Les Ethic Ethnic | The Ethical-Ethnic Ones
      -You are a globetrotter with a conscience and your style reflects this. You wear ethnic mix-and-match prints and support organic and fair-trade associations.
*Les Astucieux | The Clever Ones
      -You are the smart shopper, always hunting for a bargain to find the next cute dress or designer accessory.

Hmmm.. I wouldn't exactly say I'm solely one of these; most probably fitting into Creative and Bobo Chic [and I would think most college students are naturally the 'Clever Ones'].

Which one do you relate to? While I can't tell from the collages which personality matches each image...maybe you can...

Isn't the style gorg?! I would love to return just to be inspired by the various street style exhibited.

Phew! Ok...I think I did Paris justice...

Have you been? What did you think of the city? If you haven't, would you like to go? Why?

Have a ponder kiddies.

xx

***

*throwback thursday_ski country

***

Morning all!

Ok, so here I go, attempting to breathe some life into this blog...

This blog started off as a travel/fashion/inspiration blog and while I have been traveling, I have been depriving you of the experience as I haven't been documenting it.

So these 'Throwback Thursday' posts will be just that; things that I [due to being too caught up in life] unfortunately didn't post.

Starting in reverse chronological order, the last undocumented place I visited [and referenced in americana], was Vermont for my Spring Break.

I'll start by saying that Vermont was different...

...

...not bad, different.

It was very American, but then again, I went to a vintage ski resort with a LARGE group of Americans. It was definitely a new experience for me, coming from the Caribbean, obviously never having skied before. However, my intentions weren't to ski.

MY REASONS FOR GOING:
I went to accompany my friend, to travel and see another State that I would not normally, but also to refresh and rejuvenate and had every intention of working on some fashion-related stuff.

WHAT ENDED UP HAPPENING:
To the outside world, I looked timid and antisocial, cooped up indoors on my computer and was encouraged, and not wrongly, to go out and explore the wooded, snowy, ski slopes.

And, after a few days in the 'wilderness,' surrounded by forest, snow and plaid [and talks about fishing] I could say that I learned to appreciate that this all-American culture is unsurprisingly different. It was my first extended stay with a real, born-and-bred American family and it was definitely a unique and unforgettable experience...I left with the bruises and the flu to prove it!

...oh! I also learned that skiing definitely does not look THIS glamorous [did I mention that I don't like snow?? haha]

“I do not participate in any sport with ambulances at the bottom of the hill.” ― Erma Bombeck

“Skiing is a dance, and the mountain always leads.” ― Author Unknown

“When it comes to skiing, there's a difference between what you think it's going to be like, what it's really like, and what you tell your friends it was like.” ― Author Unknown

xx

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*in transit

***

¹com·mute verb \kə-ˈmyüt\

Definition of COMMUTE; 

:-transitive verb

1a : change, alter 

  b : to give in exchange for another : exchange 

2: to convert (as a payment) into another form

3: to change (a penalty) to another less severe <commute a death sentence to life in prison>

:-intransitive verb

4: to travel back and forth regularly (as between a suburb and a city) 

 So...while I am most definitely NOT a morning person [as you can tell from my previous post]...and the commute isn't the easiest in the world...I really do seem to be enjoying my internship. My perception about a few things is changing. I am learning a lot, not only about the industry, but also about myself; what I like and what I don't like in terms of working.

[par example:- I like interacting with people. I like having a variety of tasks to work on so, if one is monotonous, I can move on to another and then return to it. I do not like Photoshopping for hours on end. *womp womp* And I, without a doubt, do not like lugging 70 [seventy] lbs of "natural" river stones around New York...*long story*]

However, it is nice to be able to work with industry professionals who are down to earth and really seem to care about my career aspirations and even just me as a person! [after some of the horror stories I read].

What's even better is the lack of homework! #joysofsummer That means that even though the days are long, as soon as I reach back to my apartment in Jersey, I can flop down on my bed, watch re-runs of Modern Family and get all the sleep I want.

In fact, I am probably looking well rested these days, so I'll grace you with some glam shots of me riding the subway.

"The Vanishing Underground." Liya Kebede & David Agbodji. Shot by Mikael Jansson for Vogue Japan. April 2013.

...I look fresh and perky, no? And a little tanned too? #joysofsummer

Haha. I kid.

But while I've been doing a lot of #4 [see above], I've also been doing some #1a...and definitely none of #3 [sounds a little morbid to be honest. eek.]

Life changes happening kiddies. Gotta love 'em.

So if any of you see me on my commute. Don't be scared to say hi!...Be sure you say where you know me from though cause I'm a runner...

Have a great day. Always be inspired.

xx

“I'm not like most designers, who have to set sail on an exotic getaway to get inspired. Most of the time, it's on my walk to work, or sitting in the subway and seeing something random or out of context.”
― Alexander Wang 

***

*americana

***

Hola!


Checklist? And, go!

Firstly, I must apologize yet again for taking such a long hiatus from blogging [especially after my last post *hides face*]. I really do love it and, if I could, I would do it all day, every day... But, slowly I'm beginning to learn my limitations and regrettably, being the ambitious student that I am, I currently have a plateful of more immediate things that require my attention.

Secondly, and probably more exciting, is the fact that I've been traveling again! Haha. No, no...not glamorous international travel like before...but U.S. state-to-state travel, which means I've had quite a few road trips [and a few too many hours in a car] recently.

Between spending my Spring Break week in Vermont [don't ask me why anyone would go to more snow for their SPRING break] and currently being at a conference in Philadelphia, I've gotten quite a large dose of the American culture lately. And, although they have both painted very different pictures of this country and its people, they have both been enjoyable and eye-opening experiences.

So, while I'm laying in a plush, king sized hotel bed, looking out on a sunny Philly day, I'm going to try to get churn some of these posts out, starting with...

Philly!

Just being here, I feel such a buzz of patriotism and culture in the air. Dubbed, 'The City of Brotherly Love,' Philadelphia, the second largest metropolitan city on the East Coast of America, is also rich in both art and history, the being an integral meeting place for the country's Founding Fathers who not only signed the Declaration of Independence here in 1776, but also the Constitution in 1787.

Additionally, with a number of important historical artifacts housed here, such as the Liberty Bell, it should be no surprise why today's 'Daily Pretty' is Americentered!

Good ol' Stars and Stripes y'all! [reminds me a bit of Lana del Rey who really plays up on the American culture, no?]

Anyway, off to see the city! Be inspired!
xx

***

*fabulous London.

***

“If London is a watercolor, New York is an oil painting.” ― Peter Shaffer

[...different; not better, not worse]

The time has come for me to say goodbye to this wonderful country and return to the States.

But don't worry kiddies, I'll still be posting about the numerous English models and fashion icons that I haven't gotten to and my experiences in the UK and over on the continent! [still didn't do a post about Paris...and now I have to do one about Belgium!! #fallingbehind]

How about a 'see-you-soon' present to cheer myself you up?

'Fabulous London.' ft. Bonnie Chen. Harper's Bazaar China. July 2012.

Just think, while I'm stuffing choccies in my carry-on and getting searched at customs, you get to enjoy some fun and ferocious 'English' pretty...

...sigh..I miss it already.

Life is a journey, and I must remember that it may be one that I am not entirely in control of; just gotta enjoy whatever experiences are thrown at me, ya dig?

Am I sad that I'm leaving? Yes. But, I'm also excited to move on and continue growing and anxious for what experiences 2013 will bring. And of course I'll definitely be back...[maybe sooner than I know?? hehe.]

So, goodbye to 'The Swinging City' and hello to 'The Big Apple.'

Wish me luck kiddies!
xx

***

*explore.dream.discover.

***

hmm..*sips tea*...

I'm neglecting you again, aren't I?

Lo siento kiddies... spent the weekend in Bristol by the cousin. It was interesting to say the least...haha...

...and other than the wonderful Trini food my cousin cooked, she is super inspirational...following her own dreams and goals..

Sigh. But being on a 3 hour coach..and having to pack and unpack just reminded me of how many hours in these past six months I've been in transit...

...with more traveling coming soon! Haha....

Anyways, being a blog about finding inspiration in constant uprooting, here's some nomadic pretty to start off your day..

"Trail Blazers": Daria Werbowy and Lily Donaldson in Cuzco, Peru by Mario Testino for Vogue UK. March 2008.

“The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.” – St. Augustine

“There are no foreign lands. It is the traveler only who is foreign.” – Robert Louis Stevenson
 

“A journey is like marriage. The certain way to be wrong is to think you control it.” – John Steinbeck

“One’s destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things.” – Henry Miller

“Travel is more than the seeing of sights; it is a change that goes on, deep and permanent, in the ideas of living.” – Miriam Beard

Sometimes I find myself complaining that world travel isn't as glamorous as it's cracked up to be, having to live out of a suitcase and slum it out sometimes [and look like a hot mess toting heavy suitcases through New York City]...but honestly, it's worth it...

Maybe I'm being totally existential right now, [blame the impending return to the US] but the experiences that I have had in the past few months are ...I dunno.. live-changing, priceless, once-in-a-lifetime...and have certainly impacted me and inspired me in ways I could never have imagined *tear* ...cliché, I know.

And, while I am somewhat excited to return to the States, I will definitely, DEFINITELY miss this gloriously cultural country... [and, of course, will be back!]

ah well.. "The only thing constant is change..."...a concept that I am slowly understanding...but, as one very amazing friend rightfully said, it's not the end..just a new chapter...something new to get used to...to keep me on my toes...life does that...

...and hopefully I look amaze doing it! Ha!
xx

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