Belated Cheers

(I'm on the left; excuse my best friend)

I have slacked on blogging.

That's actually such an understatement since I literally dropped off Blogger after October. Last semester was the toughest one I've had in terms of workload (still can't believe I survived taking 20 credit hours, worked, and participated in extra-curriculars), and it's finally over. Thank goodness.

2013 was definitely a year of many firsts. I finally turned twenty-one for one, and not a day goes by where I'm not thankful! I also feel incredibly older. I think this feeling is partially influenced by the fact that I have lived a whole semester off campus and the fact that I can get into bars now... It's hitting me more than ever that life is moving fast, and I basically have one more year in school until undergrad is completely over. Pharmacy school applications are actually on my to-do list now when they were just a distant worry a year ago. It's crazy.

Keeping all of this in mind, my long-term resolution for 2014 is to take advantage of opportunities and just make the most of each situation. I need to stop telling myself "no" and just go for it. Other goals include becoming Yelp! Elite by summer and having a successful Alternative Spring Break trip in the Florida Everglades this March.

I also received a new camera from my wonderful friends, but, unfortunately, it currently has a slight defect and doesn't work. Hopefully, we'll get it solved soon, and I can return to documenting life through images.

Well, here's to 2014!

The Big Easy

(exploring the streets of the French Quarter)

 (the interior of the beautiful St. Louis Cathedral)

3.1 Phillip Lim for Target Muscle Tee, Zara Silk Shorts, Banana Republic Chambray Shirt, 3.1 Phillip Lim for Target Mini Satchel, Call It Spring Sandals

(outside the cathedral with the ladies)

 (dinner with a view)

(the neon lights of Bourbon St.)

With a four-day weekend, a few of my friends and I decided to road trip to New Orleans for a change of scenery. This wasn't the first time I visited the land of jazz and blues, but it was the first time I stayed there overnight. We spent the day appreciating the architecture and culture and had a fantastic time experiencing the night life. It was a short trip (we only stayed one night), but I think we made the most of it. I'm sure it won't be my last time there.

Transition

3.1 Phillip Lim for Target Muscle Tank, F21 Leather Shorts, DV by Dolce Vita Ankle Boots

A new post has been long overdue. Shame on me for not keeping up with updating! I'll definitely be reviewing the 3.1 Phillip Lim for Target pieces I purchased a couple of weekends ago. In fact, I'm wearing one of them here.

I bought this top because it seemed like a more elegant version of a muscle tank, combining a masculine feel in the front with a feminine touch in the back. The back is sheer with a high-low hemline, and I think it will pair well with a pair of leather leggings. Since it was still warm, I paired it with my handy leather shorts instead and black ankle boots, which I snagged for $60 on sale and will probably become my favorite shoes for the winter.

The weather in Houston is finally cooling down, and it's been a beautiful past couple of days. I just won't be too happy when it's actually cold.

3.1 Phillip Lim

Mini Satchel $34.99, Satchel $34.99, Tote $54.99, Chelsea Boot $54.99

The highly anticipated 3.1 Phillip Lim collection for Target is almost here! I've had September 15th marked on my calendar for a while now, and I've probably visited the Target website one too many times to ogle over the lookbook. I know the collection will be available in select stores, so I'm crossing my fingers that the Target near me is a winner. I'm probably going to end up calling the store to double check (I just like being mentally prepared), and if they won't carry it, I sure hope I can order online.

If you can't tell from above, I'm especially excited about all of the accessories. The tote looks like the perfect substitute for the ever-so-popular Céline luggage bag. I just hope the material of the tote (and all of the bags) is quality and durable because it's so disappointing to find designer products that are made cheaply (e.g. the Marc Jacobs clutch from the Neiman's collection for Target) even if they are more affordable. As for the rest of the bags, I don't think a girl can ever have too many crossbodies (especially ones in black), so I'm also looking forward to seeing the actual sizes and quality of the mini and regular-sized satchels. I think the Chelsea Boots are actually made for men, but we'll see if I can't make them work for me...

If any of you manage to get your hands on the collection, let me know what you think!

Commuting Comfort

AE Top, Zara Shorts, Zara Sandals, Ray-Ban Aviators

Even with the long weekend, I've already had my fair share of the week. Blame it on the humidity and heat or my alternating between biking and driving to school, but I'm ready for the weekend!

To keep up with the weather while walking around campus, I've stuck to sleeveless tops and breezy dresses all week. I particularly loved this outfit because it felt like I was wearing silk pajamas (with pockets!) the whole day. To prevent myself from looking like I rolled out of bed in this getup, I wore my trusty Zara low-heel sandals to dress it up.

Juxtaposition

W.A.Y.F. Top, F21 Shorts, Thrifted Belt, Vince Camuto Sandals

I was immediately drawn to this top when I saw it on Youtuber Chriselle Lim's What To Wear To a Wedding video. The palm tree print is complex enough that it isn't corny, and the colors are just beautiful. It makes me think back to my elementary school days when blue, pink, and purple were my favorite colors. I was afraid the top would be at an absurd price since it was featured in a video, but it was surprisingly affordable (and on sale)! I thought it would be a fun oxymoron to pair palm trees with faux leather shorts, and I ended up really liking the combination. I can already tell I'm going to be obsessed with faux leather again this Fall. I've been stocking up on all the fantastic winter clothing deals in the summer and can't wait for the weather to cool down even though I prefer warmer temperatures.

Reverse to Revamp

F21 Tank, Aerie Lace Bandeau, AE Jeans, UO Studded Belt, Zara Sandals, Ray-Ban Aviators

Fall semester officially began 2 days ago, and it's still hard to believe I'm a junior now. I've been on campus these last two weeks helping out with new student orientation (what we call O-Week), so I apologize for not updating. As busy as my schedule is, I'm going to try my best to stay consistent with the blog.

I've been a fan of the muscle tank silhouette for a while (college tanks are rampant), but I haven't been able to bring myself to purchase a more feminine version. I'm particular about the fit since the wrong cut can make my shoulders seem even wider than they already are. With some inspiration, I realized that if I just wore one of my tanks backwards, it would have the same fit as a muscle tank with a scoop neck in the back (which I'm loving). Pair it with a bandeau, and it's perfect for these warm summer days.

On Wednesdays, we wear pink.

It just so happened two of my friends were also wearing pink today at lunch (pointed out by another friend), so we couldn't pass up the chance to quote Mean Girls.