This Father Daughter Article Made Me Cry

I read this article on Refinery29 by Ashley Ford about her relationship with her father after he got out of prison after serving 30 years. I was so touched by how much he wanted to know about her and be a part of her life. It was beautiful. Just beautiful. I have a complicated relationship with my father because before 17 he was an amazing father to me but when he left our family, which included two very young children, to start a new life on another continent and followed that up by barely calling or visiting us, he was no longer the dad I remembered or grew up with.  So when I read about this father who missed out on so much and when he was able to be with his children he wanted to know so much and really fill in as many of the missing pieces he can and really know who they are and who they were. I wished my own father was so interested in me and my siblings but he's not. The last time he visited my dad spent more days in Las Vegas at the casinos (three days, if you're curious) than he did with my younger sister and brother, the children that he left when they were 6 and 9 (he spent less than a day with them). They are now strangers to him and it's not their fault.  Maybe one day my dad will be that person who is interested in our lives and wants to know who we are as opposed to just asking how we are and then running out of things to say.  I can only hope. For now, knowing there are fathers out there who truly want to reconnect with their children and get to know them, it somehow does give me a bit of comfort.  If not me, at least them.  

What Are You Eating?

At the beginning of every year I make the resolution of saving more money. A big component to that is not buying my work lunches but bringing one to work instead.  Last year I did okay; my lunch spending improved but my goal is to bring lunch every work day or have zero spend weeks on lunch every week.  The only exception is when I'm having lunch with a friend at a restaurant and I limit that to once a week but it doesn't happen often.  Last year, I don't think I ever succeeded in bringing lunch every day or having a zero spend week on lunches but this year I finally did it! I credit it to making a more conscious effort in meal planning a few days ahead, making enough for dinner and the next day's lunch for two people (my partner and I), and packing my lunches the night before. Typing it now, it's so odd how such simple changes could make such a difference in my life! One of the foods I ate three times (yes three!) this week was Maangchi's Crunchy Korean Fried Chicken. It is so delicious and probably my new favorite fried chicken recipe. I can't take credit for cooking, that goes to my partner because honestly I lost the will to cook in college. And if you don't know Maagchi, well boo you need to get to know her! She is amazing!!! Below you will see all her cooking magic in action and her recipe. 

Emma Watson Is Giving Me Disney Magic!

Emma Watson has really turned into a fashion maven in my eyes. Either she has great taste or a great stylist, but either way she is work-ing it! Check out her latest dress at the Shanghai premiere of Beauty and The Beast. Cape or no cape, it's good right? 

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Pan Zhi Wei/Imaginechina

Fave Oscar Looks

I only caught the last hour of the Oscars but I enjoyed what I saw and that shocker at the end! Whoa! 

Fashion is one of my fave parts of awards shows and this year I was not disappointed. Below are my fave looks. 

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Janelle looked like royalty and I loved it!

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That flare, deep V, and that train; Brie was giving me sexy vixen in her dress.

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Emma's old timey glam was on point and not costumey. 

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Hailee looked like a dream in her floral, sheer dress. 

Happy Valentine's and Galentine's Days!

So Monday was Galentine's Day (I didn't know it was the day before V-day) and today is Valentine's Day! I loved seeing all the red and burgundy things people were wearing today as I was going to work. It really put me in the cheery mood I needed because my body has been fighting some bug these past few weeks which has not developed into anything full blown but has made me tired and congested everyday (the congestion doesn't last long though, thankfully). So enough about that bug and let's get back to the cheeriness of this commercialized holiday! The crew at Oh Happy Day is doing it right and tingling my eyeballs with these two DIYs! Head on over there for the details.  

Oh Happy Day

Oh Happy Day

Lace, Lace Baby

Get it? Like "Ice, ice baby" Ha, so corny right? Have you seen those dresses that are made of a thicker looking lace? Self Portrait makes some amazing ones.  Here are some of my faves by them. The first is probably their most popular and you've already seen in many colors on the internet.  There's definitely a reason why they keep bringing it back every year-it's stunning! Any of these would be great for Valentine's Day or Galentine's Day! 

Self Portrait

Self Portrait

Self Portrait

Self Portrait

Flamingos!

I'm not sure if I'm late to the party when it comes to this trend but I started noticing more flamingo items here and there. I think it's really cute in certain doses like a skirt or top but a whole dress that is full of flamingos is a bit much for even me.  Below are some cute flamingo items I've seen around the internet.

Splash Logo

Just the right amount of flamingos on this retro dress.

Ebay

Chicwish

This one is too sexy for me but I have to give props to whoever thought of it because it is definitely a unique way of incorporating those lovely flamingos!

Nasty Gal

Off The Shoulder- How I Love Thee

Part of me trying to get it together and own less/spend less also involves some exceptions like buying dresses for special occasions like weddings! For the last few years I've probably attended at least one wedding every year. In 2016 my partner and I attended five weddings and I'm not tired of them yet! I love being able to share in such a momentous occasion and seeing the couple just celebrate their love and union.  And it doesn't hurt that my partner and I love to dance. We are usually the first ones on the dance floor and the last ones when the party winds down.  Feel free to hire us if you want to get the party started LOL!  So this year we have a few weddings to attend so I've been surfing the internet checking out what's out there and my heart keeps going back to the off-the-shoulder styles. I love them for both fancy and casual occasions. Below are some that are wedding contenders and some casual looks that I like but will steer away from buying. Enjoy!

I love the bold color and sleek cut on this little number.

Asos

The bows are a cute touch.

Lulus

Simple and a sexy, but not too sexy (at least in my opinion)!

Lulus

A lovely blush ruffly dress. 

Charlotte Russe

This bardot dress on Lace and Locks is so amazing.

Asos (OMG it's still available!)

This one is a too casual for a semi-formal or formal wedding but it's the perfect summer dress!  Too bad it's no longer available. 

Katiesbliss.com 

Do I Like This?

I randomly found this photo through google images when I was looking at DIY blazer dresses, yes blazer dresses! I'm not sure how I feel about this look. I like it because it's creative and unique but not sure if I also dislike it as well haha! Maybe it's a love/hate relationship?! Enjoy!

Bebe Zeva

The one below is what got me thinking and wanting a blazer dress. Sexy right? 

Tobi

That 70s Moment

I am a lover of trash TV. Yes, it's true, please don't judge me. My current list of reality shows include Real Housewives of Atlanta and Beverly Hills, Married to Medicine, and Vanderpump Rules. And on this week's episode of Vanderpump Rules Arian Madix was serving 70s funkadelic hotness in a denim jumpsuit! I was and am loving it! Now I want a denim jumpsuit too! It was hard to find a good photo of her in it online because she really wears it well. Below are some photos of the Pylo Jumpsuit that she was wearing (no longer available) and a few that can be purchased right now.

Source

Front

Back

Here are some jumpsuits that I'm eyeing that are for sale right now. Why have I not hit that checkout button yet? Remember my spend less, save money, become a minimalist thing? I'm deciding if any of them will be a life long item in my closet and what has to go to make room for it. Enjoy!

Tobi

By Vero Moda-regular fit & tall fit

By Missguided, found on Asos

Asos

Asos

Vision Boards and The Secret

Remember years ago when the book and DVD "The Secret" blew up on Oprah and everywhere?  That was the first time I had heard about the law of attraction and I just thought it and "The Secret" were just positive thinking so I didn't know what all the hoopla was about. It felt like a "duh!" moment. Fast forward to 2017 and I decided to set the goal of creating a vision board by the end of January and that led me to watch those old Oprah episodes about "The Secret" and now I am understanding all that hoopla! It's more than positive thinking; it's changing your focus and language, expanding your gratitude, visualizing the life you want, and putting your desires into action. Some of the words that stood out to me are below.  As for the DVD, some of the dramatizations with actors are kind of hokey but the parts where the experts are speaking really resonated with me so I recommend folks check it out.  I wish you all a prosperous new year!   

Images are from here, here, and here. I added the quotes myself. 

Sweater Alert

Juliett Kuczynska's sweater is giving me life! I especially LOVE the beading and the tassel thingies (I think that's the technical term) on the ends of her hoodie string. 

Source

Vacation Planning

This year we will be attending our first wedding in Hawaii and I am so excited because I LOOOOOVVVVEEE going there. It is one of my most favorite places in the world, so much so that I've visited the islands five times in my life and have been to Oahu, Kauai, Maui, and Hawaii AKA the Big Island.  Last year I went to England with my best friend and right now I am already in need of a relaxing tropical vacation.  Put that fresh pineapple and some Hawaiian poke in my belly and the warm ocean water touching my skin and I can just float allll day. What fun trips do you have planned this year? 

Photo of Lanikai Beach, Oahu sourced from here.

Office Inspiration

At my job I have an office and I am incredibly grateful for that.  I've been in this current office for maybe two years now? Honestly, I've lost track because this is my third move into a new office.  During my time here I have barely done anything in terms of decor because I thought, "oh it's about the work, why spend money on this room?" but I am so wrong! I spend over 8 hours a day in this room and there are times where I need a little pick me up or inspiration to keep going. So this year I'd like to add more wall decor besides my treasured Bill Murray poster and my little cactus. Below are some items that I want to bring into my office.

DIY pallet art like Colors and Craft's, but instead of a wooden "hello" I'd like to try a wired red velvet ribbon "hello" to mix textures.

3 DIY abstract marble paintings like Elegantly Untamed's
A criss cross DIY tassel garland (in another colorway) like this one from pomtree.
Some airplants and DIY/bought geometric brass holders like handmadesammade's.
And maybe a framed photo of this! Ha!



Here's some office inspo just because it's pretty to look at.
Man Repeller's office from Style Me Pretty.
Homeyohmy above and below (the bottom has a super cute fringe photo garland I like).

Am I Ready To Be A Minimalist?

I love organizing but I also love stuff and have a hard time with letting go of said stuff.  I have to admit that I am pretty much a hoarder.  A few years ago I came to the realization that I simply have too much. Too many clothes (I still have clothes from high school! It's so hard to say goodbye), too many shoes, too much stuff that is going unused.  And for a long time I just kind of ignored having so much and just went about my day to day.  I did curb my spending on clothes and shoes though, but honestly the clothes spending was because I wanted to lose weight so that I could wear my cute clothes that used to fit me.  In 2015, I decided to try reading Marie Kondo's The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing and I loved it.  Still, loving something you read and then putting it into practice are two very different things.  So I started the "KonMari" method by skipping some categories and starting with smaller ones such as cosmetics, toiletries, and cleaning products. I did this because they felt less overwhelming and I knew I wanted all of these items to live in our bathroom.  Well, I learned that I have a crap ton of make-up! After moving some hallway shelves into the bathroom and then putting everything in one place the amount of just those items was astonishing to me. It's really true that often times we don't really know how much we really have until it's all together in one place.  After that personal triumph I entered a standstill and just could not bring myself to do the category of clothes because again I was not ready to let go.  So I pretty much quit.  Then in 2016 I started to just get sick of having so much clutter in our apartment.  I started watching minimalist/m youtube videos and wanted to get to that point where it was a combo of KonMari and minimalism.  I wanted to own things that bring me joy and also have as few items as I want/need.  It doesn't mean I'll be bare boning it on the furniture and will be rocking a 12 item closet any time soon. It just means that I want to pare down everything I have because having it all is making me feel overwhelmed and sick and not making me happy.  I want to find that happy medium of owning stuff and not owning stuff.  In December I started decluttering again and this time going through things that I'm not as attached to like textbooks, mail, bank statements, learning materials, boxes, and other paper based items.  And so far, I've made a lot of headway and it's making it easier for me to get used to "letting go". In 2015 and 2016 I have also been pretty good about decreasing my clothes, shoes, and make-up spending, but my handbag spending skyrocketed in 2016 and honey, that ain't good! I would buy a designer bag and then a month or two later would start lusting after another.  And I was starting to feel guilty about just the desire to add yet another bag because I wasn't like this in 2015.  I tried to figure out what was driving such a strong want. I would ask myself, "Do I really want this bag?" "Why do I want it?" but what would bother me the most was that I still wanted the bag even after weeks and weeks would pass. Then a few nights ago I finished the documentary, Minimalism, and started to want that bag a little less.  I'm not going to lie and say the want is completely gone but it is much less than before because I want to make room for the things that matter more like spending money on trips and experiences and having less physical stuff to worry about.  

   

Happy New Year!

Happy new year everyone! I feel like I want 2017 to be a very colorful and bold year when it comes to fashion and style for me. It might be because of all the things that happened in 2016 that makes my body and brain crave that kind of visual stimulation.  I hope 2017 is as bold and as colorful as you want it to be! Below are some eyeball candy to get your color/bold fix!

A photo posted by Rachael Wang (@rachael.wang) on Aug 19, 2016 at 8:57am PDT

Wendy's Lookbook

A photo posted by Jenn Lake (@jenniferlake) on Dec 31, 2016 at 3:29pm PST

A Pair & A Spare

Karla's Closet