I went to Milan this weekend for fashion week and fell in love with fashion all over again! Playing around with my outfits I fell for all the drama of a little extra skin and boots, tons of boots. I have a few staple pieces you'll always find on me, like my Off---White bag and my Max Mara coat, but besides that, I tested my fashion styling abilities and got creative.

All I have to say is a became a new person, and she might just be into a litttttle drama. 

However, sans coffee, she's a little more tamed.

I may have also watched Goodfells, very recently and it might have sparked some inspiration, but let's be honest this has always been in me. Also, how I went so long without seeing it I am very surprised and also disappointed in how it never cam up in conversation before.

*Update* per suggestion of Andrea, it is me. I am the mob boss taking over. The end.

There are currently 3 cities I have a love affair with.

1. LA: We're lovers, its mutual. The city loves me and I love LA.
2. NYC: That's my wild love affair, our summer together was just that. We aren't ready for each other, but in due time or maybe never. Regardless, the memories I'll cherish.
3. Paris: Ooo la la, that's my abroad lover. We can be perfect for each other, but I need to learn French. I need to put in effort if I truly want it. 

So in case you missed it, I went to Paris for a week during the end of September, coincidentally the same time as PFW *swoon.* Paris was on my mood board for this year, so like i had to make it happen, and we all know what a sucker I am for signs, and on the way to the airport the radio played a Parisian song, so it was meant to be. I had been once before about 7 years ago, and man oh man, I still love Paris. Paris will always be my love affair, I can see myself living there for a year or two as soon as I learn enough French to order more and a chocolate croissant and ask for the check.

Me at 30: Living in Paris, in a cute little Parisian flat on the 8th floor, with a sweet little balcony that I can drink tea on every morning , and freelancing at the cafe downstairs, where I enjoy my chocolate croissant, that's my religion. Dating a Parisian musician or maybe a photographer? I'm not picky, it's casual. Ending my nights with a glass of red wine, sometimes out at dinner with some friends and sometimes after taking my miniature black poodle for a walk. Vacationing on the Amalfi Coast or in Nice, the Mediterranean looks good on me.

​How right does all that sound? 

Being in Paris felt so adult, how I spent my time and where I went was on me, and I could figure it out. I went to visit my cousin who lives there, and has for the past 10 years, but while she was at work I would take the metro and travel to different parts of the city spend time in museums, cafes, and sitting in gardens. There were so many quintessential "Paris moments" like sitting in a cafe and having someone next to me start playing the guitar and break out into a sweet little tone, or singing karaoke in a bar after bar close because it was on my cousin's street and they knew the owner, and a soft rainfall on my last night in the city as we were heading out to go dancing, a movie.

Truthfully, I don't know how to write about Paris in a way that isn't absolutely cheesy. It's been almost a month since my trip and I still don't have words. When I went I tried not to romanticize it, but rather enjoy it for what it was, and to live in the absolute present: to make an effort to get to know locals, to learn a new french word everyday, and to genuinely vacation, and I don't regret it one bit. Leaving Paris wasn't a sad moment I know I'll be back, so visit me when I'm living there, ok? 

While it's always sunny in Southern California, nothing makes the day feel a little brighter than an impromptu shoot. 

Plus, no better way to christen the new house than with a housewarming party and a photo shoot. 

I've been listening to a ton of Otis Redding lately, and truthfully I don't know how I got here. I've always known of him as a artist, but I have finally gotten around to listening to most of his discography, and man oh man he just speaks to the soul. I am currently loving on "Try A Little Tenderness" I could replay this song all night long.

I love how it starts off so soft and "tender," but then builds up to this soulful groove that just makes you want to move , and that's kind of the relationship I have with myself. It changes from day to day, and while some days I wake up feeling myself and grooving from the moment I open my eyes, but other days it takes a little love and build up to get there. Overall I want to be softer on myself, mainly with my thoughts. I think it is import to be cautious of your thoughts and too not be too hard on ourselves. My dad always makes the case to tell me that if someone else was as hard on me as I am on myself I would have cut ties with them ages ago, and it's true, so why can't I break my own bad habit? 

But I'm working on it, and as silly as it might sound, but the one thing that works best to break those thoughts is putting on a good song, lately being a Redding, and choreographing a dance to it in my head. Dance has always been my absolute euphoria and even the thought of it lets me feel as  free and soft as actually breaking out in a good groove. 

So here's to more tenderness and some good grooves! ​

There's no party like a housewarming party. 

Pop the champagne, and don't mind if I do because I am officially moved out of my studio, and living large in a 4/3 house. I need to post some photos because the place is a beauty. I'm convinced all of our families could come to visit and stay in the house, and it would be all groovy. 

We all got to celebrate yesterday with some of our favorite LA homies, some of who we have known for years others we have just met, and it honestly went as smoothly as four 23/24's having a housewarming party could. You know a few champagne spills here and there, but nothing on the couch (hallelujah, hallelujah! )

We call ourselves the Cheetah Girls, and we have arrived to East Hollywood! But seriously, the house is beautiful, my roommates are dope (none pictured), my favorite roommate is Lexi though, she four legged and gives tons of love, and we even have a cute little garden, so LA millennial  of us.
​
Let's boogie! 

Today was one of those perfect LA days, you know the ones that the movies scenes always open too, with the sky so perfectly blue and clear, and the smog nonexistent. 

I swear it's days like this that inspire songs and paintings, it's just effortless and simple the way things should be. Before we complicate it by getting caught up in the past or future worries. 

I'll be leaving this sweet Los Feliz, neighborhood soon, so I am taking in my last few days being a tourist in my own city. Plus, only a year in, I'm basically still a newbie. ​

I swear if I could I would relive this day every time I get caught up. 

We are about to relive the early 2000s with Paris Hilton being all over magazines, Juicy Couture making a comeback, and me listening to early 2000s music always. 

With a Juicy comeback I couldn't help myself and bring out my vintage Juicy shirt from the back of my closet, this is exactly why I am a hoarder and refuse to get rid of clothes.  If something is in good quality you never know when it might comeback in style, right? at least that's what I keep telling myself .

I'm also one of "those people" that watched "What The Health," and it completely changed my relationship with food, so while I might embarrassingly wearing clothes from 2000, I am becoming more conscious of what I put inside my body. And LA is the perfect place to give this new veganesque lifestyle a try. This is how I found out about Pink Milk from Lassen's, it is my actual religion. Not being dramatic, it's just that good. I crave it on the daily and it's basically how I start my mornings, plus with a waffle or two. Usually two because I am a growing girl and get hangry very easily. 

Not exactly my homecoming, but my "Kanye inspired homecoming." In fact I had never been to the Midwest before, and truthfully if one of my best friend's hadn't moved to Chicago I don't know if I ever would have visited, but Chicago exceeded all my expectations, and I totally get it now. In a weird way it reminded me a ton of Estonia, with a modern downtown, and the great lake reminded me of the Baltic sea, and the constant wind, and all the European languages I was hearing, I couldn't help myself, but reminisce.

BUT you see the two key things that motivated me to take this trip.

1. One of my best friend's Lauren (aka LWynne94) was celebrating her Jordan Year.
2. And it is the city that made Kanye who Kanye is. 

I am a BIG Kanye fan, like through and through. Musically I think he is brilliant, and in true Kanye form I can appreciate someone who wholeheartedly loves and embraces themselves, and what a creative genius they are. If you don't love yourself, than who will? ​

While most of our time was spent in the mindset of celebration, eating and drinking our way through Chicago. We did get to partake in more cultured(?) activities. By visiting the Museum of Contemporary Art and then hitting the downtown landmarks like The Bean and seeing the grand river. 

I am a museum groupie, and make an effort to go to a museum or two in every city that I visit. I love to see the technique and detail that goes into pieces and to read, or just tag along with the tours, to learn about the artist inspiration. Art while so incredibly subjective gives us all a little glimpse at ourselves and life when we notice the ones that catch our attention. 

However, the big celebration happened on Sunday with a bottomless birthday brunch, and we'll just leave it at that. 

Here's to another trip to the windy city sometime soon! 

All of life's grand moments should be covered with a photoshoot. 

• ​​Your First Birthday
• Your First Day of School
• Your Last Day of School
• Your  First Love 
• Graduation 
• Marriage 
• Homes 
• Kids 
• Etc.

So in my *personal* list I have added in 

• 1st Year Living in Los Angeles (surviving and thriving) 

But it wouldn't be my first year if I didn't give a shout out to all the things I learned: 

• Gas stoves have been my biggest challenge (maybe just cooking in general? I might be more of a reservations girl)
• Always call ahead for appointments, never expect stores or companies just to have in stock that one specific thing you need
• If you don't do your research people will take advantage, so always do your research
• You'll also meet some of the coolest people ever, always be gracious, always be kind, and always be understanding
• Never let the hype take you over, in the end it's just a sunny city to  fall asleep in 
• Always stay humble 
• Never be afraid to leave a person, situation, or job if it just doesn't fell right or you aren't growing from it anymore
• Don't let people try to intimidate you, your ideas are worthy and quality
• Know your worth
• Know what you want and ask for it, if you don't no one will give it to you
• Give back 
• Go out of your comfort zone, it is worth the tears, the hardships, and the awkward introductions 
• Don't force something, if something is truly meant for you it'll happen, so perfectly and effortlessly
• Always go to the event, even if it is alone 
• And if you love the city, she'll love you right back 

Don't be fooled by the title I am not having a baby lol BUT my uncle and aunt are!!!! Our lovely family tree is growing by one more in March 2016. My mom just threw my aunt a surprise baby shower yesterday and the whole house was filled with joy, blue balloons ( she's having a boy!),  tons of cupcakes and family and friends. 

My mom was so worried that my aunt would find out about the baby shower before everyone showed up, but we tricked her into thinking that they were all going to a event at the Four Season Hotel, so she had all day to get her nails done, do her hair, and pick out the perfect outfit, but instead when she came downstairs to leave we had snuck everyone in through the garage door and we all cheered SURPRISE! Don't let anyone fool you throwing a surprise party is one hard/stressful task!

Also, a funny little tad bit about my family. My uncle and aunt their baby is due March 2016, but so is my cousin's (who is actually my uncles oldest son! lol) so everyone has been joking about naming the little baby boy uncle because before he even knows he'll be the uncle to another little nub just the same size as him! However, luckily they won't be naming him uncle they're actually leaning more towards Rihard Luukas (very royal sounding, don't you think?) 

Closest Similarity to the Sweater Brandy Melville 
Similar Dress Venus 
​Bracelet Stella Dot