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)