Farewell to 2012

UO peplum shirt, BDG mid-rise twig jeans, Jeffrey Campbell Tardys, Jewelmint Avalon necklace

This year has been a real whirlwind. With just hours until the new year, I've been reflecting on all the amazing things I've experienced in 2012. I've been to my first live show tapings (So You Think You Can Dance and American Idol), met my idol Cole Horibe, gotten two jobs that I love, declared my double major, scored an internship for 2013, met the most wonderful people and came to cherish the friends and family in my life so much more.
For 2013, my new year's resolutions...

• remember to indulge in all the little moments that really count rather than being swooped away by the flurry of future goals
• read read read – one of my favorite things to do, yet I seem to always leave it out of my daily equation.
• eat clean and be healthy
• drink 1 liter of water a day (minimum)
• work towards my passion and find what I want to do in life
• break the rules and live a little

While 2012 has been such a blessing, I'm ready to ring in the new year!

The Moments

On me... Ruche dress, J. Crew necklace Jeffrey Campbell Tardys (from the NastyGal sale!)

On Michelle... Forever 21 dress and sweater, J. Crew necklace, Banana Republic Ivanna heels

I hope everyone had a merry merry Christmas. I spent the holidays with my family and snapped these outfit shots with my cousin Michelle (check out her instagram here!) before the real festivities began.

This Christmas sparked some reflective thoughts. I think everyone always has those pivotal, key moments or events in their lives that mark the point of real changes. For me, it's been my annual family Christmas parties. While I progressively grow older every day, I don't quite notice it until I reflect back on the different nature of each Christmas party. I believe that change is measured by the noticeable differences between the past, present, and predicted future. It's in these moments that I realized the significance of how I'm growing older and changing. It's a humbling realization, compelling me to cherish each of these moments that much more.

Season's Tidings

Embellished crystal lace collar

Merry Christmas!

This year, I didn't make a gingerbread house, bake my homemade apple pie, indulge in a plethora of Christmas shopping, try every single holiday drink known to mankind, or drive around to see the Christmas lights. But I'm blessed and grateful for all the amazing friends and family in my life, and all the people I've been lucky enough to meet, befriend, and make connections with. 

Each year, I grow older and see more of the world beyond my sheltered upbringing. With the recent tragedies from Hurricane Sandy and the Connecticut shooting, I find myself becoming more thankful for the little things and the constant things in my life. From having the ability to jump out of bed and tackle the endless list of to-dos, to being fortunate enough to spend each Christmas at home with my enormous family. 

The holidays, regardless of which one you celebrate, is about the love and the feeling of being together. That's what I'm grateful for this season.

Holiday Color

10 days? 10 days!

10 days until Christmas. How surreal. Does anyone else feel like the holidays are just flying by this year? I'd love to turn the clock back by a month. It feels like it's passing by too quickly.
Red is one of my favorite holidays colors. From bright red to a deep maroon, red is a color that is always in fashion – just change up the shade by the season. Maroon is my favorite hue of the moment, but when it's December, I love wearing bright reds, especially on my lips.

ShopRuche

Holiday Ruche by jessicawu

Ruche by jessicawu

My take on how I would style for the modern, vintage and romantic aesthetic of Ruche.

And yes, I admit to using the same TopShop crushed velvet skirt from my last Polyvore coordinate. What's a girl to do? The crushed velvet trend is utterly swoon-worthy and that skirt is perfection. 

A Studded Holiday

A Studded Holiday 

Cutout dress / Vince dolman sleeve top, $245 / Isabel Marant oversized shirt / Free People sheer legging / Velvet skirt / Zara ballerina shoes / Free People leather wallet / Rhinestone jewelry

I've forgotten how satisfying coordinating looks on Polyvore is. Sure I'm supposed to be studying for finals right now, but taking a break on Polyvore is immensely gratifying. 

Right now I'm completely infatuated with these Zara flats. They're perfect in every way – the crazy studded embellishments, block heel and pop of black on the ankle strap. This is how I'd love to style it if once I get my hands on them. I'm combining a lot of my favorite textures at the moment: crushed velvet, thick knit sweaters, brocade, studs (always a must) and sequins.

Can you believe how quickly the holidays are approaching? It seems like it's really flying by this year. I'm not sure if it's because of how busy I've been as of late, but it seems like a lot of people feel the same way as well.

What's on your holiday must-do list?

As soon as finals as over, I have a full list of things I need to do:

• Bake Try to bake my first homemade apple pie
• Try to test out my list of accumulated recipes (kale, potato & sausage soup, quinoa salads, whole wheat raspberry dark chocolate bread, the list is endless)
• Enjoy a peppermint mocha while cozied up in knit scarves, beanies and sweaters galore
• Bake gingerbread then make a gingerbread house
• Make homemade hot cocoa with a peppermint candy cane
• Holiday shopping for my beloved family and friends
• Read tons of books (My must-read list has been adding up)

Adieu

I think deep down inside of me, there's a 90's girl trying to break free and ooze out all over my outfit selections. I find myself gravitating towards plaids, flannels, distressed denim, platform boots and those mini vintage back packs quite often. While this was an outfit from warmer days, I found it fitting to post as a welcome adieu to the heat wave.

(Did you catch that? Welcome adieu – kind of a contradiction, but true nonetheless)

Can you guys feel the holidays creeping up? I can't believe it's nearly December – time for chilly December days, warm lattes, cozy flannels, thick knits and twinkling lights. I'm most excited for the nearing end of this semester so I can fully indulge in all things Christmas, including tackling my Christmas list.

Denim on Metallic

Madewell denim shirt, metallic skirt, and flatform shoes; J. Crew necklace

I've never really liked being too matchy-matchy with my outfits – like looking extremely feminine or looking too prim and proper. One of the reasons why I love this metallic skirt is its unexpected versatility. At first glance, it looks like a very festive skirt that is well-suited for holiday occasions. But I love to mix it up by pairing it with a rustic denim shirt to counter the femininity of the skirt. 

Since I worked a long shift on Black Friday, I didn't really go shopping (nor was I really conscious enough to shop), but I did order some wine-colored JC Tardy platforms from Nasty Gal yesterday. I am overwhelmingly excited for them to arrive – will keep you posted.

Autumn Rust

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving full of family, food and great company. I've been a bit (or a lot... sorry) absent on the blog lately. I've had a rough time balancing school and work and blogging. I'm going through a bit of a transitionary period in my life, with figuring out my priorities and finding a happy medium between school and work, while still taking the time to breathe and enjoy life. I try to plan out every part of my day to maximize all my hours, yet I realize how doing so makes it easy for me to miss the chance to enjoy the little moments in the day. So the lesson is: Seize the day and make every moment count, but don't forget to breathe and enjoy each day. After all, you only get so many Novembers in your life – it's a shame to get so caught up in daily tasks and forget to stop and enjoy the Autumn leaves.

Hocus Pocus

my first carved pumpkins

my little pumpkin desk companion

dripping oxblood nails (inspired by Prabal Gurung)

Happy Halloween! My plans? Stayed in with a pumpkin spice latte in the company of my carved pumpkin to study for my midterms tomorrow. When I'm not a college student bogged down with midterms and work, then maybe I'll go out to a party. But tonight, it was me, my books, some Minnie Mouse ears and the bowl of candy I passed out to the trick-or-treating kids.

Grey Haze

Free People beanie, Express grey long sleeve, Betsey Johnson (altered) polka dot slip dress, Mossimo black boots

It's finally cold enough to wear a beanie! I cannot express how absolutely ecstatic I am for the chilly fall weather – though it's not as cold as it could be, I appreciate whatever cold weather LA can get. 

I'm always gravitating towards comfortable pieces that are easy to mix and match. This pairing was ridiculously comfortable, albeit a tad simplistic.

I apologize for my month long absence from the blog. I've been swamped with school and work, and haven't had much time to blog. Regardless, I'm getting back into the groove of blogging now.

SEW by Brian Truong

the ANNELLE tote

the MILLÉSIMÉE clutch

Recently, I partook in a photoshoot for Sew by Brian Truong, a new line that specializes in custom, handmade accessories for men and women. He currently has totes and clutches in a variety of prints available for purchase on his site. 

Brian developed the line during his recovering stages of post-op minor surgery. He was inspired by the unique, handmade shops in the Distillery District of Toronto.

His bags stand out from the crowd as statement pieces with their bold prints, yet extended usefulness in their versatility and ease of use. 

It's definitely a site worth checking out. Click here, to go to SEW by Brian Truong.

Tulle is in the Air

dress c/o DeJaVu, Madewell flatforms, vintage Coach backpack

For a still-lingering summer day photo shoot with my photographer cousin, I opted for a mesh lace and tulle dress from DeJaVu and my go-to flatforms. I like the feel of the juxtaposition of the soft feminine lace on skin against the rustic and worn brick alleyways.

My cousin, Brian Truong, is a photographer on the rise. Check out his blog here.

Hope everyone had a good Labor Day weekend! 

Mad for Plaid

Madewell songbird dress, tree twig necklace, feather pendant necklace, Dolce Vita booties, vintage Coach backpack

I typically don't like bold solid colors like mustard yellow, plum, or dark navy, but when it's put together in this dress, it works beautifully. This outfit makes me feel nice and woods-y (if that's a word). It's breezy enough for the end of summer, but the colors translate well into Autumn. I literally cannot wait for Autumn – I'm tired of the hot, sweaty weather and am so very ready for layers, sweaters, jackets, and deep, rich colors.