three stories high

There are people who dislike Forever 21 because of the quality of their clothing (which I find lame, there's a tag on how to take care of it for a reason), and then there are people who dislike the store because of how mainstream it is... but really, it's not where you bought it, it's how you wear it. So, what if you have the same shirt as someone else? Just make sure you rock it better than them! That way, they'll never dare to wear it again. ;) I don't see what's wrong with Forever 21... their clothes are meant to last as long as the trend, and who can complain about the prices of their jewelry?

{via Yelp}

Forever 21 in Union Square in San Francisco, California.
Been in there once and it was like heaven—minus the horribly long lines for dressing rooms and over-population of tourists in there. Looking forward to going again sometime soon! I could spend for hours in there.

rock and rose

I loathe waking up as early as the time I get up for school on weekends but when it's the day after Thanksgiving I'll jump right out of bed before my alarm clock even goes on. I absolutely love the over-zealous rush & energetic vibe of Black Friday. I live for the feeling of walking miles around an entire shopping mecca, passing by early Christmas decorations & cruising through the scent of fragrant perfumes in the air, while on a hunt for nothing specific but great bargains. After hours of searching through racks & racks & racks & piles upon piles of clothing, I was exhausted yet felt so accomplished—I think my BEST deals this morning were these nearly $90 French Connection shorts for about $23 & the extremely comfortable $69 Kersh faux fur cropped jacket that I'm wearing above for 75% off! If shopping isn't a sport, then I don't know what it is. ;)

where the wild things are

Photos source: Adeline Mai photography

Notable people I'm thankful for this Thanksgiving (and all my Thanksgivings):
- My parents. I look down on people who don't respect their parents. I truly love mine and have not once said "I hate my mom" or "I hate my dad" in my life, ever. I mean, if they've done something to traumatically hurt you, then that's a different story. But if you call your mom stupid for not letting you go out, then that is just selfish. Parents only make you stay home or not let you hang out at a certain place or time because they care about you. You wouldn't be here without your parents. I couldn't ask to be raised my any other man and woman. Oh, and did I mention their chef-like cooking? No, really. I love, love, love my mom and dad's homemade food. Sometimes I'd rather eat at home than a 5-star restaurant.
- The bond I have with my siblings. Honestly, I cannot even fathom to imagine my life without my brother and sister. I'm the middle child, which gives me best of both worlds, haha. We've never been North and South Korea with each other, you can bet on that. I love them to death and I am grateful for them every single day.
- My best friend in the world/soul twin. We're so alike in so many different ways that I'm almost convinced we were separated at birth!
- Everyone else close to me who has never walked out, never given up on me, and has always been here.
- And of course, my readers. I'm truly grateful for each and every one of you!!!

I hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving tomorrow! Don't forget, an optimist is someone who starts a new diet on Turkey Day ;)

beaut

One of the things on my "Bucket List" has always been to try some of my favorite food where it originated. Because everything tastes better where it was invented, right? Macarons in France, sushi in Japan, pizza in Italy, cheesecake in New York, etc. One day.

raw edge

Wearing | DIY destroyed Chanel logo shredded tee • H&M blazer • Topshop over-the-knee boots

I like dressing up on Mondays, partially because everyone else seems to take the highway and go in the "jeans and a sweatshirt" direction while I like heading the other road. Plus, it's a proven fact that you're a lot happier and alert when you're dressed up a bit more in something you really like (well, in the words of my AP Psychology teacher). Monday's aren't bad unless you make it out that way...

and this is where the love story begins...

I said leave, but all I really want is you to stand outside my window throwing pebbles screaming,
"I'm in love with you."



Why are all Taylor Swift songs so relatable?

ruby boutique spring 2010

I admit I feel a tad bit odd obsessing over this lookbook as autumn has barely started in California, and I'm just beginning to get used to the colder weather. But I couldn't help it! I love everything from the bubbly shorts to the bell sleeves and lace. So cute.

velour a/w '09

all dressed up and nowhere to go

What I was supposed to be for Halloween with my best friend until I got too sick!



Wearing | Express striped sweater • Kensie sailor shorts • Forever 21 necklaces • sailor hat from eBay

People. The ones who stereotype you at just a glance. The ones who automatically treat you horribly before getting to know you. I met one yesterday. Well, actually, he's been in my class since the beginning of the school year. We were doing an assignment in pairs and I got partnered up with him. I said "hi" kindly, and the first look he gave me was the meanest, dirtiest look anyone has ever given me. He didn't even want to work with me. He came up with all the worst assumptions saying how I was failing the class (I'm not!) and probably couldn't even do the assignment when I offered to do all the writing and everything. He said no and that he didn't need or want any of my help. He assumed all these nasty things that was the complete opposite of me. I asked him how he would know all of this when I've not once spoken to him in my life. I'm not even sure why he was so mean to me, I was so nice and continued to be even when he called me a "failure" for no reason at all. He said I was retaking the class when I wasn't. He assumed everything with confidence as if he knew me. WHAT IS WRONG WITH PEOPLE? We ended up arguing the entire period, and of course, I had an answer to everything trying to convince him that I'm not who he thinks I am, yet he wondered why I kept talking to him even though he made it obvious he didn't like me. He called me stupid. What is this I don't even...

Lesson learned today: My attitude of looking for the positive in others won't always bounce back to me. There will always be people who don't go with you and some aren't worth making the effort to change that. But still...

"You don't give up, do you?"
Me: No. I don't.

layer up

Wearing | Aldo belts as necklaces • Forever 21 locket necklace • American Apparel raglan pullover

I don't care if it's "so last season." I will continue to be inspired by Givenchy's A/W '08 collection. Even though a certain friend of mine keeps asking me how my neck doesn't hurt from all the weight...

chain me up

One of the few things I absolutely despise about autumn is knowing that it's the outset of flu season. I began getting sick two weeks ago, at exactly the same time it seemed like 90% of my classmates were sniffling & coughing all over the place. Just when I thought I was finally feeling better I came down with a fever, which also came with a cold plus a sporadic amount of coughing a few days prior to Halloween & I'm still stuck here with a box of tissues feeling too fatigue to do anything crazy. Oh, what a pity.

Contrarily, while spending some of my days cozied up in bed for hours with a laptop in front of me, I was tempted to log into this after what seems like forever. I went on a blog roll through some of my subscriptions & I already feel like I've missed out a lot! I'm motivated to blog more often again, which will be easy, because I have so much to catch up on! Starting with this... WHY isn't U.S. Vogue as good as Vogue Italia?!