Seasoned Traveler

I have always admired Grace's style from afar. She has always looked polish and put together. And she mixes patterns and basics to give off a sophisticated vibe. I would definitely say that she has a Persian touch when it comes to her clothes. Grace always styles herself as vibrant, fun, and put-together. I was lucky enough to finally got a chance to take pictures of her. So here are my amateur photography skills at work!

Fall Break

Because school is obviously so painful, 

my university gives us an extra Friday off called Fall Break. 

Usually I mope around my apartment and eat copious amounts of fish sticks, but this year I took advantage of the three day weekend to visit Los Angeles (where Helena lives) & my hometown (to see my family). It was a nice breather from the intense overload of studying I had to do for weeks. Plus I was super sick of being stuck within a 1 mile radius of the school. Those brick buildings can only be "breathtaking" for ever so long. 

So, at the butt-crack of dawn, Joseph dropped me off at the super sketchy train station. He waited around with me until the station opened and made sure that I boarded safely (what a good friend). And from there, my mini vacation began. 

The train is probably one of my favorite ways to travel. I get internet. I get food. The only downfall is how shaky the train can be. It makes my academic productivity go down by 5 notches. 

I always forget how beautiful the Union Station in LA is. My favorite part is watching a diverse and eclectic group of people waiting around for their train to come, ordering food, falling asleep, meeting with lovers & friends, and looking disheveled.

I had some time to take pictures while I was waiting for Helena to pick me up. I asked this dude if I could take his picture since he looked so interesting to me. And thankfully, he agreed. He probably thought I was a wierdo, but whatever!

Helena finally came and we went on our cat-dog friend date at The Grove. I was so excited to see her! We have been separated for months to the point where I felt like she was just my internet friend that I talked to via Facebook and text. But seeing her again reminded me that she is actually real!

So us being us,

[1]we window-shopped

[2] ate delicious food

[3] took discrete outfit pictures

[4] crashed on the last 5 minutes of happy hour

&

[5] enjoyed the warm southern California weather and each others' company

Where's the food?

Eff it.

Food was bomb.

Drinks were bomb.

Helena is bomb dot com.

Feeling all sorts of sads leaving one of my good friends after a great day.

For the rest of the weekend, I practically just ate myself into a food coma and studied away. But it was really nice to see my mom, sister, best friend from home (Kristen), and my other mother (Cat). Although I didn't take anymore pictures during this trip, I figured this bowl of homemade pho summarizes the rest of my travels!

Lace + Grace

Grace just got her new camera and was dying to try out out. When she approached me to be a test subject, I was totally down. Being the classy lady she is, she invited me to an art show with free wine & food (high five to that), and we ended up taking pictures in the art gallery at school. 

I pretty much suck when it comes to modeling. All the posing, angles, and facial expressions; I don't understand at all. It's more like "derping around" until we get a decent shot for the day. I honestly prefer to take photos (mainly cause I feel in control of what's going on~). But with Grace's artistic eye and her camera skills, she outstandingly snapped a few photos of my awkward self. 

The outfit itself is relatively simple. I just paired my lacy black shawl with the same tank I always seem to be wearing these days & slapped on my kid-sized construction worker boots in an attempt to downplay the gothic lolita feeling of this outfit. Then I threw up some silver jewelry and left the rest of the work to Grace. 

*Oh, please don't mind the crappy photo editing of the borders. I was just bored & experimenting. 

Black Shawl - Superior Thrift Store

Black Tank Top Dress - ANGL

Boots - Kohl's

Heart Locket - Unknown

Magnifying Glass Necklace - Mervyn's

Red Purse - Superior Thrift Store

Marina x Algernon

Marina O. I met her through Alpha Phi Omega unexpectedly. In fact, my first memory of her was sitting next to her on our first pledge meeting while she smiled & giggled at everyone in the room. While I was awkwardly silent and frigid as an ice block. Next you know, she became my roommate and one of my closest friends. We do such stupid things together; from making fun of her large cat, Blackie, to screaming songs from musicals in the kitchen. There has definitely not been a dull moment.

With Marina being a Math x Economics Major, she often leaves the apartment in professional dress to attend meetings, mixers, and work. I figured that this would be a solid outfit to dress her with that shows slight professionalism with a twist of a girly vibe & academia. To keep it more professional, just throw on a tank top underneath the sheer blouse and tie it all together with a fitted blazer, and you're good to go!

Blue Sheer Bow Blouse x Beige Skirt xBrown Belt - Forever 21

Black Kitten Heels - Love D

Bralette - Brandy Melville

Pearl Earrings - Vintage