*nyresolution

***

Hello my pretties,

So, it's a new year...with new flare and lots to celebrate.

Big things are happening this year *fingers crossed*...

...starting with me resuming my blog.

After a few months of some tech difficulties, I decided to give it another go and keep this bad boy alive!

So, let's pour some bubbly [like these models], get dolled up..and start this year right!

To 2015!

xx

***

BRB: Back and Ready to Blog.

***

Sigh....

So this has been such a hectic and crazily eventful year, but I am glad to say that it's over and, almost a year later (since my last post), I am now a college graduate *blush* with a number of new experiences that I am so eager to share with you all!

I always mention just how much I love blogging, as not just a means of keeping up with the fashion industry, but also simply as a creative outlet, and I am just itching to dust this keyboard off and stretch these editorial muscles.

Thus, après a little blogging cat nap, I am back, happily so, and ready to blog.

umm..how do I do this again?? Eek...

***

*throwback thursday_paris

***

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

***

*[pride]

***

As most of you know [unless you've been living under a rock], yesterday was NYC's annual Pride Parade.

A celebration of community and equality, qualities that we should all aspire towards, NYC's week long of  festivities ends in a culmination of colors and love.

However, despite it's apparent beauty, one must always be mindful of the underlying meaning of Pride week. It is not only to celebrate how far we in the LGBT community have come in the fight for freedom and our rights, but also to recognize how much further we, as humanity, have to go.

I believe that the words of one of my very close friends aptly summarizes this ideal...

He says,

“PRIDE has meant many things to me in my life, but never has it just been about being a fag or not. It’s a celebration of us, of humanity no matter where we come from , what we look like, or what or who we do… this past month I have seen love and hate, People holding prejudice where you least expect it, and acceptance and tolerance from where you least expect it… this weekend I was able to celebrate with friends and strangers, gay, straight , black brown red yellow and blue all the same, in each and every party and place the breeze blew me… I was reminded of one thing though, the hope for a better world, belief in humanity and belief in a generation all come from belief in oneself… If we’re lucky and believe in ONE love and the effervescence of a generation, we will live to see a world that shines with more resilience than can even be dreamed of- a world for our children to grow, love and be loved in all the same…”

 Thus, in commemoration of this rainbow event [and what would pride be without some colorful fashion], here's a few fabulously fashionable and, better yet, colorful clothes.

                               “What have you done today to make you feel proud?” ―Heather Small.

xx

***

*perspective

***

Sigh kiddies,

Sometimes in life things happen that slap you back to reality and make you really question your take on things...

...questions like: "What do you want in life?" "What's really important to you?" "What are you willing to sacrifice for it?"

Meh.

And, I can tell you, it ain't fun when they all pop up at the same time.

So, after a fun and action-packed week "vacationing" in Atlantic City and NYC [post coming soon], tour-guiding etc, it has been a harsh fall back to reality.

After being in the greatest of funks, feeling lost, confused and overwhelmed with life for the past few days, I've realized that it's life's little way of making sure that I do not remain complacent...

As I always say, turn that frown into productivity...and although I'm not entirely sure of my destination, I am confident that hard work will get me wherever I am to be...

...perspective.

“Humans see what they want to see.”― Rick Riordan

“A little perspective, like a little humor, goes a long way.”―Allen Klein

“A pessimist sees the difficult in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.”― Winston Churchill

“One of the things I learned the hard way was that it doesn’t pay to get discouraged. Keeping busy and making optimism a way of life can restore your faith in yourself.”― Lucille Ball

“We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses.”― Abraham Lincoln

“Some people see the glass half full. Others see it half empty. I see a glass that's twice as big as it needs to be.”― George Carlin 

“Songs are as sad as the listener.”― Jonathan Safran Foer

xx

***

*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 

***

*early mornings...

***

...are a no-no.

Me getting out of bed...

 ...except not that cute.

“I love sleep. My life has the tendency to fall apart when I'm awake, you know?” ― Ernest Hemingway

Up and at 'em kiddies! #carpediem

[Starbucks where are you?]

xx

***

 

*perked | the return

***

It is I...the abandoner...

...but I come bearing amazing news.

I'm not going to complain about how busy I've been these past few weeks with finals and apartment hunting and all that..cause you've heard it all before...(and quite frankly I'm tired of saying it), so I'll focus on the positives...

I have an internship!!

So far it's been fabulous (thankfully). Long hours...but with amazingly nice people.

Officially, I'm interning for a blog called Fashion Elephant. Slightly different to mine, which is mostly about inspiration from my travels and funky fashion pictures, Marina's (who I work for) has the luck of being able to feature herself wearing amazingly fashionable (and totally out of my price range) clothing.

Unofficially, I am also helping her fashionable friends and family - which includes fashion photographer Ronald James (who has done amazing editorials for worldwide editions of Harper's Bazaar, Marie Claire, Numero, Essence and Elite), Charles Philip (designer of Charles Philip Shanghai shoes), Lizzette Kattan (former editor-in-chief for Harper's Bazaar Italy, Harper's Bazaar France, Uomo Harper's Bazaar and Italian Cosmopolitan) and up-and-coming designer Bianca Allen - get through their own to-do lists.

And although it's only been three weeks, I've been exposed to so many great people and facets of this crazy whirlwind of an industry.

It has been such a humbling, learning experience...with much more to report. *blows dust of keyboard*

*eyes open, ears to the ground*

I mean...it could be worse...

...thankfully the only coffee I get is to wake myself up during that commute!

 

“If you feel lost, disappointed, hesitant, or weak, return to yourself, to who you are, here and now and when you get there, you will discover yourself, like a lotus flower in full bloom, even in a muddy pond, beautiful and strong.”― Masaru Emoto, The Secret Life of Water.

xx

***

*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

***

*gotta stick it out

***

Good morning kiddies!

It's certainly been a while, hasn't it?

The past few weeks have just been uber hectic for me; last week being Spring Break and the week before that, the equally crazy [but for different reasons] midterm week.

Although I didn't do much exciting things over my break, I did sleep quite a bit [which is always a plus] and watch a lot of 'Say Yes to The Dress.'

...made me think about commitments...

...and a large one I have is this blog! [and to you too of course!] so I am definitely going to push myself to churn out all those posts-in-waiting I have lined up...

But for now...have some pretty! Bet you missed it!

“Anyone can dabble, but once you've made that commitment, your blood has that particular thing in it, and it's very hard for people to stop you.”- Bill Cosby.

"Commitment unlocks the doors of imagination, allows vision, and gives us the "right stuff" to turn our dreams into reality.”- James Womack

 

“There's a difference between interest and commitment. When you're interested in doing something, you do it only when circumstance permit. When you're committed to something, you accept no excuses, only results.”- Art Turock

#thinkaboutit

 

See you soon!
xx

***  

*you. better. work.

***

Hola kiddies,

My semester has started off a little rough to say the least. Still a little jet lagged and unpacking can be just as tedious as packing!

Needless to say it's taking a while to readjust to New Jersey living...

...but the work never ends. Lots to do kiddies so get to it!

“Hard work spotlights the character of people: some turn up their sleeves, some turn up their noses, and some don't turn up at all.” ― Sam Ewing

“It's hard to beat a person who never gives up.” ― Babe Ruth

“I'm a greater believer in luck, and I find the harder I work the more I have of it” ― Thomas Jefferson 

“The price of success is hard work, dedication to the job at hand, and the determination that whether we win or lose, we have applied the best of ourselves to the task at hand.” ― Vince Lombardi

Hope you all have a productive day! 

xx

*** 

*it begins

***

*rolls out of bed*

First day of the new semester! #bringit

Definitely have a lot of work ahead of me, but I'm excited and I'm ready!

Have a great day kiddies!
xx

***

*you're cordially invited...

***

One thing that I am most certainly going to miss about England is the tea!...

 

“Tea is liquid wisdom” -Anonymous

[mhmm]

 I'm a self confessed addict...drinking up to four cups a day... [you can bet half my suitcase was filled with PG Tips]

...so why not share the love with you guys?!

soooo I'm hosting a tea party! *fanfare* and you're all invited!

Traditional English tea....sandwiches, scones and sugar cubes #ohmy

...all online of course...haha what did you expect??

“There is no trouble so great or grave that cannot be much diminished by a nice cup of tea.” -Bernard-Paul Heroux

 

“Tea is drunk to forget the din of the world” -T'ien Yiheng
 

“If man has no tea in him, he is incapable of understanding truth and beauty” -Japanese Proverb

“Tea to the English is really a picnic indoors” -Alice Walker

  
 Anyways, no elbows on the table! *dabs corners of mouth with napkin*

Drink up!
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

***

*baby mama drama

***

Eek...it's been a while..

Spent the past few days babysitting my little cousin while my aunt and uncle went back out to work.

Umm..it was fun to say the least...but let's just say I'm grateful he's back off to school today...haha...leaves me time to blog!

I even took a picture of me playing hide-and-seek with him!

Constance Jablonski. Numéro #117.

Aren't we cute?!

Haha..just kidding..

Anyways...while I would like to think that my cousin and I looked like this...

...the reality was probably closer to this...

*here's where I normally post some inspiring and related quotes for you to ponder about, but today lovelies, I've only got one..

“The only creatures that are evolved enough to convey pure love are dogs and infants.” ― Johnny Depp

Ironically, they both also poo everywhere. Coincidence? #ithinknot

...I'm just being silly...I love kids. And my cousin is no exception. He constantly surprises and amazes me with just how happy he is and all that he can do.

If you have of your own, treat them like the angels that they are [even if they don't always act like it] *hides duct tape*... If you're expecting, Congrats!...and if you're patiently waiting for your own opportunity...

..join the queue!
xx

***

*Happy New Year.

***

It's 2013 kiddies! [for me at least..haha]

Well, it's just after 1am here in London..and I could think of no one better to usher in the New Year with.

So....

Happy New Year kiddies! Hope 2013 is all that you guys want it to be and so much more!

I'm sure all you guys are partying it up, surrounded by loved ones and alcohol...keeping it safe [and PG] of course..maybe even setting up your fireworks or getting ready for your midnight kiss..haha...

..well...clearly I'm not..haha..

However, whenever you do decide to stumble in...or wake up with your hangover ^_^...there'll be some New Years Pretty waiting for you...my treat!...courtesy Dolce&Gabbana [so I guess their treat really...haha]

Dolce&Gabbana SS13 NYE Lookbook.

Enjoy!

light+love.
xx

***

*merry christmas

***

It's Christmastime kiddies!

Between all the prezzie wrapping, baking and wine drinking, it's been hard to find time to keep you all updated with your doses of fashion pretties.

I'll make it up to you, I promise!

But for now, here's to you and yours; wishing you all health, happiness and love this season and for the New Year!

Festive-realness pretty!

Keep it classy kids! And most importantly safe!

***

*crunch time

***

...finals in two days...

This pretty much sums it up...

....yup

***

*Snoozefest.

***

Morning kiddies!

I know it's been a while since I've posted and I really am being a delinquent blogger..but this week has been so utterly hectic for me...

Don't worry, I haven't forgotten about you guys. I have thought about you every day that I didn't post...but school work, unfortunately, comes first...

Anyway, second set of papers in, and I've got about two weeks before the crazy starts again.

As a result, all I want to do right now is catch up on my missing sleep, which is another reason why I've been pretty neglectful of the blog.

Now that I'm rested, some daily pretty?

Can you guess the theme? :)

“Life is something to do when you can't get to sleep.”-Fran Lebowitz

“If you can't sleep, then get up and do something instead of lying there worrying. It's the worry that gets you, not the lack of sleep.”-Dale Carnegie

“You know you're in love when you can't fall asleep because reality is finally better than your dreams.”-Dr. Seuss

“Man is a genius when he is dreaming.”-Akira Kurosawa

***