On not being Black & White

 JUST, ME

I decided to do these self-portraits stark, without makeup and unedited because i'm beginning though work realize through incredible photographers how beautiful the natural form a person really is and an exercise in being comfortable with oneself.

Today I am thinking of the prospect of happiness and what it means in relation to an adult life. I used to think happiness meant the perfect job in a place that attracts you, with someone who you want to share it. It isn't until this past year that I've learned the complexities to such a simple idea. Life isn't about getting 1 + 1 + 1 to equal 3, it's about multiplying, dividing and subtracting, too. One aspect of your life might be in place, but then the rest fall out of whack or what you wanted suddenly doesn't become what you want anymore, and you are left to solve for x. 

I am learning, all. And I am also learning that I am the only one who can dictate this equation, despite all that fate hands me. So I'm deciding to set a goal for one year from this moment to do something that I know I want to do and that will make me happy. I'm deciding on a trip to drive up the coast of California whether it be by myself or with others.

& I was once told that you can do whatever you set your mind to, it's worked thus far.

Into the Grease.

TY-LR NIGHTLIFE TEE
JC JOE LACE UP BOOTS

I've been shampooing my hair every single day since I can remember, and recently, I've been having a grease issue at my scalp. My dream team of friends helped me realize that my skin is probably overcompensating since I over-clean and releasing too much grease. I decided to try going sans shampooing for a week in order to start anew and get my scalp back on track. Im going through a routine of dry shampoo, conditioning the tips and rinsing.

I'll report back with results tbd.

Also, this shirt feels like a dream, and its a perfect basic tee long enough to wear with leggings. I've had those boots for five years and they still look like brand new and go with everything, especially keeping your legs warm with a dress during the fall.

#plantlife

ALBER
KNOX

INEZ

VINOODH

Every living thing should have a name, plant life included.

I'm adjusting to my new digs and living in a space that's big enough to comfortably house me, all of my things and whatever else my heart desires is a new sensation. Something that I tried and failed to have at my old apartment was plant life. I had an ivy plant and tried some succulents out but the limited space and sunlight kept them from thriving. 

My first investment was a palm plant, and the best thing about the rest that followed is that they were both gifts from thoughtful people. and easy to take care of.

As fall comes in strong and the greenery outside starts to change, it's good to know that i'll have these guys with me to remind me that warm weather will be here soon enough. Yes, i'm already dreaming of next summer. And who doesn't love a side of snow with their windowsill cactus?

somewhere in america.

FP HANNAH'S ROMPER

FREEPS 100 DEGREE DRESS

Made in America became a ritual of sorts with one of my best friends and I.

It was sacred, we bought tickets before we even knew who was playing and then she had to go off to Guatemala on a unforgettable life adventure before we could make some memories with Beyonce & co.

This year, I went with another great friend of mine.

We stayed with the same kind, fun and generous person who let me crash last year and his friends and shenanigans ensued.

Like these photos that have become a tradition.

Festivals are made up of music, and the sets change from year to year, but what makes this one special is the people you're with and the city it's in that I get to know a little better each time.

Sorry if that's the corniest thing i've ever said.

Not sorry.

the cube test.

CAPE COD, MASSACHUSETTS

I've spent the past month recovering from vacation and moving, so apologies for the hiatus. It seems that summer has gotten away from me and today marked the first day of crisp fall weather. This past summer has been seemingly never ending and I see nothing wrong with that. I feel like i've aged an entire year in the span of six months, which seems fitting because the entire winter I felt like I was standing still. It makes me smile to look back on these pictures, the time I got to spend with my family and the positive energy that is coming into view for all of us. 

On a short road trip with a new friend, I was introduced to the cube test.

If you know nothing about it, look it up, but answer all the questions before you see what it's about.

It'll make you realize things you didn't even know about yourself, if you trust in that sort of thing.

Other things you'll just already be aware of, if you're the self-aware sort.

sunnies side up.

BRIAR FELT TOP FELT HAT

PLETHORA OF SUNNIES FROM FP, OLIVER PEOPLES, GIORGIO ARMANI

If you're like me, you own a ton of sunnies, collected throughout the year for every occasion. 

I can't bring them all with me, so instead I decided to make a display for them, cause that's what I do. 

Here's how:

Take a wooden hanger with divets on either side where the garment usually hangs.

Use wool yarn (the thicker the better) and tie from one end to the other about twice the length of the hanger. Leave some of the yarn pieces as is, and braid others for look. Leave different lengths of string hanging past the knotted ends. Display your extra sunglasses from the yarn pieces in the middle.

Fin.

poolside.

SIMPLY UNFORGETTABLE SET

Good rays

good friends

good times.

Loving this or any set I get my hands on

it's a top

it's bottoms

it's an outfit

or not.

it's choose your own adventure.

Sort of like yesterday.

You know when you mix the right people together and then 

boom.

magical. 

I got a little bit of that this weekend.

Photo credit due to the one and only Rotch.

Love you girll.

Bent but never broken.

It's funny how your current situation can affect how you view things.

I was walking down the street today with a coworker to grab lunch and I broke my favorite necklace, and shattered my phone screen all at the same time. 

Thankfully I had some protection on that guy.

And I did something that I haven't been able to do in a while, I took it for what it was and moved on. 

I even giggled about it a bit afterwards.

Why dwell? Why keep thinking about something in your life you can't change for so long afterwards?

This is something that is easier said than done, something I am constantly trying to get into.

And hey, I screwed up material things, I wasn't confronted with hard-hitting problems, so how much could it really affect me anyways?

All i'm saying is my outlook on life feels a little lighter right now than it used to.

So i'm putting this post here so I can remember that for the heavy times, and you can too.

And when, say, my best friend moves 5,171 miles away i'll be ready to deal with it with this rediscovered peace. 

In my new favorite skinny boyfriend jeans.

ONE TEASPOON AWESOME DESTROYED HUSTLER BAGGIES

Home is where the love is.

My initial plan for this post was to speak about how I just signed the lease to a new home and how bittersweet it feels to be moving on after a year in the real world, how the little details of my current apartment seem to speak to the peace in life that I am beginning to find, but events transpired and now that all seems so small in the grand scheme of life.

Family is everything to me, and today for a split second I thought that I had lost a part of myself. A false alarm, my heart skipping a beat and then falling back into rhythm. I realize all the time how lucky I am to have such an excellent support system, to have three people in my life that will have my back no matter what, and how fragile it seems, not only today, but all the time. How fragile life can be.

The more I grow the more I see how life is composed of a series of obstacles. It is how you adapt to change, the way that you compose yourself through the tough times, the way that you embrace the great times and the way that you are humbled by those breathtaking moments that pass that define who you are.

On the smaller scale, yes, moving away from my first real home in new york city after a unpredictable first year of my life in the real world is something that seems important in life right now. But on the larger scale, its one stepping stone in the pathway to life, and I like to think that my stride has grown this year.

Life is precious, hug a loved one.

attire.

ZARA everything. crop & skirt.

Jeffery Campbell Peaks Point Wedge

Jenny Bird Skye Lariat Necklace

I had the very special pleasure of witnessing love this weekend. One of my fabulous coworkers walked down the aisle as 'the bride' and entered this week with a new last name and is now deemed 'the newlywed' Never have I seem such a happy and more beautiful bride, and I was honored to be a part of all of that!

Finding a great out to go along with a classy event was a trip, I searched every brand on Bloomingdales, prepared myself to spend many dollar signs on brands that are reserved only for special occasions, and made many a browse online. I only had one thing in mind - I wanted a separates outfit. I ended up finding this top and bottom at Zara while just browsing one day. Each are different materials, but both fancy, and even better, both on sale! You know, sometimes outfits just seem to find you.