Lollapalooza Day 2: Lace Crochet + Denim + Mint Green

Arden B long mint green open cardigan // Forever 21 lace crochet crop top //

DivaNY high waisted distressed denim shorts (c/o) // H&M burgundy floppy wool sunhat // 

Forever 21 sparkly gold and brown strappy sandals // Wet n Wild nail polish in Goldmine //
H&M/F21 gold bracelets // Erin Wasson Low Luv silver Aztec shield ring //

Photography: Marie H; last photo above jump by Karyn M.

Crop top + high waisted shorts + long duster cardigan has been a no-brainer festival fashion recipe for the past few seasons. Since it was super sunny on Saturday (Day 2 Lolla), I threw on my floppy wool sunhat though completely forgetting my shades. Lunch at Osaka sushi right across the street: 6 pieces of unagi and mango tropical roll each for less than $10. Somehow in the crowd of 160,000 people I found my friend Mike from college, Jenn Im, eventually my group, and when wandering lost I would just plop down in the grass and discover someone new: Frontier Ruckus, Reignwolf, Griz*, Family of the Year*, The National, Steve Angello. Matt & Kim was too crowded to stay, and I heard parts of Elie Goulding and Kendrick Lamar away from the crowd. Sad to have missed The Lumineers and Mumford but got a nice evening closer by The Postal Service.

Lesson of the trip: Lolla is for all-out lunatics who can stand/walk/dance/crowdsurf for 12 hours straight and then some #gettingtoooldforthis.

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'Murica! | 4th of July Sequins

Forever21 black and gold sequin skirt // Forever 21 American flag headband //

H&M mesh sweetheart neckline bodycon dress // Forever 21 gold sparkly strappy sandals //
H&M and Forever 21 gold bracelets //

Photography: JJ

Before the calendar starts tearing pages out of itself and it's suddenly the 24th of July, here's what I wore for a sunny Fourth of July in Pitt. Though this almost-all black outfit turned out to be a stifling hot getup for the summer holiday, the way the sequins reflect light made up for the dark colours - they give off a blinding shimmer with each little movement and remind me of fireworks in the night sky. The interesting sequins are black on the top and gold on the bottom so you can run your hand through them to make the skirt more gold or more black. My headband was the centerpiece that shamelessly screamed "MURICAAA!!!"

JJ and I set about exploring downtown, where we normally don't venture. In the park there was a giant fountain where people dipped their legs in to cool off, frisbee-catching pups, BMX-riding kids, pogo stick tricks and all kinds of entertainment. Riding the subway made me nostalgic for St. Louis and the 4th of July celebration we attended a few years back. At every turn that day we seemed to have the best luck and found seats right in front of the firework display. A long, long weekend of fun and adventures accomplished, back to researchin' and happy hourin' (repeat).

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Summer Festival Style: Floppy Hat + Velvet Fringe Skirt

Thrifted cream mesh sheer zebra stripe top // H&M burgundy felt floppy sunhat //

Black velvet maxi skirt with fringe (gift) // Target black suede booties //

Forever 21 gold spike bracelet, H&M wood and gold bracelets //

Revlon lip butter in Lollipop // Delia's mint green nail polish //

Photography: self; tripod and remote

What I actually wore to ComFest 2013: Columbus's summer city festival is known for the food, endless tents of vendors, and an amusing lack of dress code (aka topless women). I opted for a more covered-up Coachella-vibe with my trusty felt sunhat, festival fringe on my velvet skirt that my Grandma gave to me a long time ago, and thrifted $1 top with a sheer white zebra stripe pattern (from Volunteers of America). Since the top was a little oversized, I bunched into a tie knot for a more fitted and cropped look. The skirt also has a embellished Greek pottery design that is semi sheer. The fringe got tangled in leaves and my sandals, so it was a better idea to switch to my trusty heeled booties.

The weather's been bipolar sunny-rainstorm for the past week here, so this outfit was too hot when the sun was out but just right in the rain. I roamed around the park and checked out some cool local jewelry and art and snacked on a chocolate Ho-Ho cupcake. Afterwards, our group stopped by Jeni's for some gourmet ice cream action and had udon and pork katsu. Off to trivia night before a half week of work and 4th of July celebrations!

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Coachella Bella | WUStock

Forever 21 grey button down (S) // DIY denim ripped shorts (Junior 3) //

H&M crochet fringe vest (4) // DIY/Converse All Star checkered sneakers (5) //

Forever 21 maroon felt floppy hat (steal) //

Erin Wasson Low Luv silver knuckle ring (5) (c/o Suzy) // Turquoise cluster ring (gifted) // 

H&M multicolor bracelets // CLAWS Jewelry turquoise and gold necklace (c/o WhitWatWear) //
Urban Outfitters double face watch // Silver inspirational cuff (gift from Alice) //
Claires feather beaded earrings (old) //

Photography: JJ

VIVA LA BOHEMIA. Okay, this wasn't Coachella but it's as close as we'll get in the Midwest excluding SXSW. I must be feelin' the Cali cool because I've been baring peeks of midriff more and more with my 90s knots, definitely venturing outside of my comfort zone (4/7). The Gym Class Heroes were swell at WUStock 2012, my college's spring music festival - they had a lot of energy and I enjoyed listening to some of their lesser-known songs. With our modified stereo heart signs and pumped up fists, we felt some of the hippie love comin' on hahaha. Free food trucks topped it all off with Korean BBQ tacos and an assortment of beautiful cupcakes (almond creme!). We spun shutter shades on wheels and splattered colourful paint on them, swung on swings and hammocks until the ground was the sky, and threw caution and care to the wind. These rare moments are the ones that stick with me while I'm blogging from home in San Diego, but home away from friends feels so foreign. St. Louis really has been home to me for the past four years - yup, the nostalgia is already kicking me.

Thank you for all your sweet words throughout graduation and in my last post. Many of you have asked if I plan on continuing this blog during med school. The short answer is ... "helllll yeaaa!"

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Little Blouse on the Prairie

H&M monarch butterfly cropped top (4) // H&M grey chiffon pleated midi skirt (4) //

H&M chiffon bow black flats (US 5/Euro 6) // H&M gold snakelike segmented necklace ($6) //
H&M faux leather biker jacket (4) //

c/o Poshlocket gold and silver Celeste roped bracelet, H&M multicolour friendship bracelets //

H&M small faux leather crossbody bag // H&M gold glitter mini envelope purse //
Lipstick: Covergirl LipPerfection in Rapture

Photography: JJ

BUTTERFLY IN THE SKY. A spring-minded school outfit for warmer February days (2/22). Inadvertently almost all H&M ... my my they've been making bank off of me. The monarch top is so boho and carefree, matched with a flowing off-grey (tinge of purple) chiffon midi skirt with pleats, oh pleats. If only every day of the year were like this :)

I was planning on crossing off things on my mall to-do list on Friday, but the weather took a turn for the worse. Cold, windy, dreary. Despite the Debbie Downer weather, I still went berserk at the mall over florals and leather, met up with more friends, and had a blast of a 22nd birthday with my best college buds. They surprised me with Moscato, cheesecake, champagne, and watching Paranormal Activity 3 together, and best of all, themselves! The weather gods stopped being poo and today was sunny gorgeous, high of 75 but with super strong whisk-me-to-Oz winds.

During a cellular biology seminar on Friday, I was inspired by a Ben Franklin quote one of the presenters said: "Energy and persistence conquer all." My persistence fuels my strength but the energy is a bit lacking. Recently, there are a lot of honestly fun and happy moments and there's also periods of grief and really missing my Mom. Talking with people helps, and especially being able to connect with others going through similar hardship. Thanks to every one of you who have offered hugs and words of support ♥. A giant bowl of basil pesto chicken soup also helps warm up the spirit. Mmmm foodie.

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OOTD + FOTD: Every Day Is Earth Day *pic heavy*

^__^ I felt awesome walking around as a hippie. I don't know why I dressed up like this, so hence the cheesy title. People stared as I got food from the cafeteria, people stared as I walked around in the rain. Let them eat salad! (My little tribute to Marie Antoinette, if you will).

Photo skills of Meow Meow and J :D

By the way, I finally got a Chictopia! I know these are outfits you guys have seen on my blog, but I would love it if you could comment, vote chic, become my fan, all that. If you're one of my lovely guy followers, well you should make a Chictopia too because chicks will be all over you fu fu fu :3

Wearing:

Braided Feather Headband, F21

Green Cardigan, H&M

White Tshirt, F21

Brown Sequin Detail Skirt, Kohl's a long time ago

White sandals, Xhilaration

Angel Wing Necklace, F21

Mosaic Ring, Claire's
GEO Nudy Brown lenses

Products used:

ELF Healthy Glow Bronzing Powder in Luminance on cheekbones and nose bridge

ELF Studio Blush in Coral applied with ELF Studio Powder Brush

ELF Studio Concealer Pencil and Complexion Perfection

Brown Japanese eyeliner to tightline

Burt's Bees Lip Shimmer in Caramel 

One of my favourites! This was taken after a tornado that blew through town btw haha. Crazy Midwest weather

I LOVE these flowers! They're so fragrant and they line the stairs that lead to my res college :D

The smell of NATURE xD

I kind of like the blurry effect

Natural sunlight flowing through my window. So much dust from never being open haha

Hair so red!

 

Hair down - wavy because I put my hair into braids while wet

 

Isn't this so pretty in the bright sunlight? : )

Fashion's all about staying in character! I even refrained from eating meat for most of the day and the PIGGED out at Night Market ahahahaha :3 I am so fats now but curry buns are SO FREAKING GOOD.

Stay beautiful and don't get blown away by a tornado (like I almost did)!