Walk Slowly, Live Wildly

Want to smile?

Sure who doesn't?

The one's who don't make lists.

What kind of lists?

The kind that make you smile.
 Duh!

:)

Things That Make Me Smile:

• finding money in my winter coat
• getting a card/letter in the mail that doesn't have an "inc./co." in the sender box
• getting a hello nod or good morning from a stranger on the elevator
• gummy bears
• discovering new and good music
• vintage handbags
• eating cookies
• tulips
• over hearing someone compliment you
• my dog
• coffee
• online shopping
• instagram
• re-runs of old classics on Nick @ Nite
• the holidays
• having geeky conversations with geeks
• my niece
• fire escapes
• the mail man
• bubble baths
• coffee dates
• rainbows
• a good ending to a good book
• blogs
• crossing off things on a "to do list"
• silly jokes
• polite drivers
• watermelons
• palm trees
• lip gloss
• my dad kissing my mom
• sneakers
• coming of spring
• surprises
• Disney cartoons
• FedEx/UPS/Postal Service deliveries
• skype
• inside jokes
• tropical vacations
• sore muslces after a run
• smores
• DIY projects
• making other people smile
• jeans that fit perfectly
• opening and eating fortune cookies
• the crunchiness of celery
• cupcakes
• coconut smelling shampoo
• brick walls
• seeing old couples holding hands
• photography
• smell of old books
• crisp cool sheets in summer
• unexpected texts
• wrapping presents
• sound of kids playing
• decorating
• good hair days

Growth is your Best Friend

Thank you technology. Without you, I wouldn't have been able to see my dear friend's face from approximately 2,790 miles away and without you, I wouldn't have been able to have this wonderful feeling of pure and legitimate content in my heart.

If you're among the population of people who have been blessed and yes, emphasis on BLESSED to have gone through any type of emotional trauma, then by all means read on. If you are of the latter and have been blessed to live a life of Utopian nature, feel free to click the tiny 'x' at the top of the screen and continue on with your rainbow infested life.

Pain victims, take a second to think about the utmost worst time in your life. Think, think, think. Ok, now stop. Here's where you ask yourself if you're still the same person as you were when you were encountered by that situation. If a tiny midget doesn't pop up in your head waving flags with numerous descriptions, facts and statements of why you're no longer that person then you haven't truly given your situation a makeover to become a blessing. It's true that life is what you make of it and everyone has the ability to decide whether they want to be an optimist or a pessimist. Yes, all this is true, but despite these decisions, there are those of us who not only get by with a tough situation, but use it to come out truly a stronger person. Not a stronger person because we allowed time to pass by and the situation to dissolve, but because we picked up the ugly hurt and smacked some beauty on it and made it look better than it ever thought it could. Hmm, chances are I've lost you by now, but my simple point isn't that we turn unfortunate circumstances into blessings, but rather we turn them into blessings that we grow from. Permanent, truthful, real, authentic for the better growth. This is the true definition of a blessing. Not winning the lotto, not getting by life with no scars, but taking those scars and altering yourself to be a greater and grander you who can bring greater and grander things to the people you surround and the society you live in.

Holiday Fashion 2011

Fa La La La Me

It's a week before Thanksgiving which means that the Holiday's are in full swing! Aside from Spring, I personally find this time of year to be the most exciting, along with many others. Cuddling in front of the fireplace, making smores, wrapping gifts, drinking gingerbread lattes, wearing fuzzy hats with soft gloves and most importantly not feeling uber guilty about rocking a Casper tan. Ohhhh and never, I mean never neglect your ugly Holiday sweater! With the right touch you can make ugly look so fashion forward that even Ebenezer Scrooge will be winking at you for it!

Oh and word of advice, be tasteful when showing skin during the colder of months. Especially if you plan on attending an office party. The term party does not mean show up in a trampy outfit and drink all the free booze you can get your hands on. Oh and boys, this applies to you as well. You may not dress like a tramp, but your

behavior can sling shot you right into the center of the term. got it?

 

Ding Dong

Lately, I've been obsessed with bell sleeves. Although it's very easy to go astray with this cut .. I think the right designer, accessories and of course PERSON can make a significant statement. Thank you 70s, we didn't miss the floral print or the rainbow colors, but we sure did miss the bell-sleeves. Proof that fashion gets re-cycled and re-inveted and and oh yes absolutely splendid. 

Excuse my manners, thank you Mr. Iglesias … the world would truly disappear if you were around me. Dreams? I say, if you're going to have any, make them BIG. Rawrrrr! 

Yesterday You Said Tomorrow

Yes, we all do it. We act as if like we have infinite number of days here on planet earth and so, we constantly procrastinate what we could be doing today/right now/this instant to 'tomorrow' and regrettably when 'tomorrow' arrives, we only push it to the next 'tomorrow.'

So it all boils down to will-power, the will power to do everything that you claim you're going to do tomorrow, today. Anyone with a pulse knows that this is easier said than done. In conclusion, I plan on reading Willpower: Rediscovering the Greatest Human Strength.

stay tuned for a review
(or don't and visit amazon.com for hundreds already made lol)

My kind of compliment ...

John Smith: First time we met, what was your first thought?
 Jane Smith: You tell me.
John Smith: I thought… I thought you looked like Christmas morning. I don’t know how else to say it.
Jane Smith: Then why are you telling me this now?
John Smith: I guess in the end, you start thinking about the beginning.

– Mr. and Mrs Smith

I hate corny, mushy, typical, pink hearts and red kisses romance. In my understanding of it, the couples who resort to the stereotypical image of love are the ones who possess zero depth in their actual feelings towards one another. No two couples are alike, regardless of what society tries to engrave in us. I believe in raw, one of a kind, romance; the kind that allows you to fall in love according to the standards that the two unique people in the relationship bring to the table, not the kind that you find on a Hallmark card come February 14th. Hence why every time I watch this movie (on round 9) I feel like I had a bite of heaven. Sure, having Brad Pitt star along side one of the most beautiful woman to have walked this earth doesn't hurt, but more or less I'm drawn by some of the hidden treasures that the writers on this film have blessed us with. Who would think to mention "Christmas morning," honestly, no compliment can gain higher integrity than that. It surly provides a warm, fuzzy, wazzy feeling all over to know that a man you love, thinks of you as his cup of hot coco amongst the bright factory manufactured red and green lights! Oh, the romance!

Get Excited

Natalia Kills - Wonderland (PeaceTreaty Dubstep Remix)

"I don't believe in fairy tales, but I believe in you and me"

"Who needs true love as long as you love me truly"

Irony At It's Corniest

It's undeniably ironic that the person who gives you that out-of-this-world feeling (that you swear, if you could bottle and sell you'd be a millionaire) and makes you strong, is in fact your weakness.

So ... be his or her, favorite hello & hardest goodbye

Classic Tunes + Hippie Living - Stress = Happiness Wasted

Anja Rubik by Inez & Vinoodh for Vogue Paris September 2011



5 Bullets of De-Stressing

• Remove toxins: includes types of foods you consume, types of products you use and most importantly types of people you know
• Sleep: not just any type of sleep: plan to sleep .. take a nice long bath beforehand, light some candles and/or turn on some of your favorite night time tunes
•  Seek friends: a good friend can make the most stressful situation seem like child's play
• Go natural: the purest form of anything and everything comes from nature .. take your self outdoors, wink at the sun and talk to the moon

and most importantly, always, always and I mean ALWAYS ...

• Count your blessings: take a minute to give your mind a break from what is actually making you have to give your mind a break and think about all that you have going for you, for example: "Another Day In Paradise"

Loft Living

"Dreams don't always have to exist when the sun is down and your eyes are shut" - Alex Gaskarth

Current time: 11:03 a.m. and I am dreaming of a loft, with rusty asscents, tons of character and a balacony with endless lights to meet the eye.

The Monsters Aren't Under The Bed Anymore

Let's get real. No, not the "stop talking behind my back" type of real nor the "you're a hater, be real" type either. Let's get real and face the real-ities of fear. How often do you get scared? What do you get scared of? How much do these fears impact your life?

 I find it far too unfortunate that we (and by "we" I mean mostly ME) live our lives with even a nano particle of fear. Granted, whether unfortunate or not it is in fact a well established part of every one's daily existence. So now that we've gotten quite "real" about the fact that we all, somehow fear something, let's dissect our fears: 

Is it the dark we fear? ... or is it our lack of ability to see what's in the dark?

Is it heights we fear? … or is it the thought that we may fall and not land safety?

Is it people we fear? … or the actions that they are capable of?

Is it failure we fear? … or the agony of judgement?

The more and more you think about it, fear is only a manifested crutch created by you and reinforced by outside sources. I Say, find gems in the dark, fall and brag about your scars, help people become capable of good as opposed to evil and if you're going to be judged, make sure you're wearing your best heels!

Who needs a kitchen?

The most disorganized of girls would still keep her clothes, shoes and accessories organized if given sufficient space for it. This will be mine, even if it means convertting my kitchen into my closet and my coat closet into my kitchen. After all, it only takes a microwave to make a box of mac n' cheese! I pity the lad that marries me.

And of course the most famous closet of all time, Ms. Carrie Bradshaw pre-marriage to Big

if only they would allow it to become a monument and charge us a pair of Manolo Blahnik's to visit and awe for a few thousand minutes .. hey, a girl is entitled to her dreams, ok!

Pure & Simple

Simply love the first day of a new month

especially one that yields temperatures above 85 degrees

Purely magical

All Good Things Are Done Last Minute

As always, I leave my dress shopping to the very last minute, but this year for my 26th bash I was blessed to wear a piece from AllSaints Spitalfields.

http://www.us.allsaints.com/women/dresses/chaztec-dress/gold%7C-coral/wdk261-2695

If you're going to invest in a piece or two for your closet, now is the time they are having their exclusive 50% off sale. I wish one of the skirts I wanted was on sale, but no such luck.

RECAP OF CHIMING IN MY 26th YEAR ON EARTH
CAN BE SEEN BELOW

A Rewarding & Selfish Relationship

For 3 months now I've had a friendship bracelet on. Many people have asked me if it's to represent a friendship with a longtime childhood friend, and every time I've been super, super, uber, duber anxious to respond with "no." Now you wonder why? Well, I suppose my eagerness stems from the fact that my friendship with my best friend (forced to use that word for lack of a better one) is so rock solid that I like giving people that element of surprise.

Now, the more important reason is because I picked up that friendship bracelet, tied it around my own wrist and promised myself that it was to represent the relationship I have with myself. After all, we come in alone and we leave alone. Truth be told, I try my best to live my life according to what my ultimate opinion of myself would be based on my actions. If I'm not going to be happy with myself after doing something, I try not to do it and vice versa. Some of us get sucked into reacting maliciously because we get tired of what the world exerts on us, but keep in mind: what people do to you is their karma, how you react may or may not be yours.

Just be proud of what you do, if you can't be proud of it, don't not only do it, but don't even associate with it.

It's quite simple. Oh, and remember, what you think of yourself is what matters the most when the sun sets and the moon shines. What hour the clock reads is irrelevant because it is unavoidable that it's the hour you find yourself ready to put your head on that fluffy pillow and as cliche as it may be, it couldn't be more of a fact that, "there is no pillow softer than a clear conscious."  

Skate Away From Your Problems

As a little girl, my mom would always offer my sister and me a choice: Chuck E Cheese vs. Moonlight Rollerway. It's safe to say we're not a big fan of the rat!

Now, after not being on a pair of skates for 10+ years, I've decided to make a wise (HEALTH CONSCIOUS) investment. I intend on visiting the Moxi store in Long Beach* come next weekend and as soon as these beauties touch my cute little feet, I'll be cruising the beach.

Be jealous, very jealous!

*For those of you who can not make the drive out to Long Beach, CA .. feel free to place your order on Urbanoutfitters.com

The Path Less Traveled

They say, if you want something you've never had, you've got to do something you've never done. Quite simple, yes? No. We're creatures of habit. Just look at the way we wash our hair: rinse, lather, repeat! Fine, that's a bad example, but really we are instinctively programmed as human beings to be comfortable doing what we're DUH, comfortable doing! I know there's probably a profound amount of scientific research out there to prove my point, but I'm too lazy to look for it and quote it. Ha! There's proof right there, that I, at the very least am a creature of habit (lazy habits - if you missed that one). 

Now to refute all that I just spent time saying, we as human beings need to break this ugly cycle. Yes, there is so much good that is to come of our "NEVER DONES" (cheers to some awful use of the English language-- but note it was intentional)! I'm working on breaking some bad habits. That's all that was meant by this. Of course I had to make it lengthy because that's one habit I refuse to break! ;)

So if anyone has been faced with some harsh realities in recent days .. know this, you are not alone and we will get what we want together. Let's just try a different path this time. Preferably one that has been used by none. And in conclusion, I must thank my favorite poet of all time Robert Frost for his inspiration when my bad habits came crashing down.

... And They Continue To Give To Us

Native American Culture Feeds My Soul

from inspired fashion to capturing literature, thank you!

"Don't let yesterday use up too much
of today." -Cherokee

"It is easy to be brave from a distance." -Omaha

"Silence has so much meaning." -Yurok

Appropriate Hate

Tell me something you hate; let's turn our hatred for the world into colorful rainbows that unicorns soar over. Please, just keep the pink glitter away from me!



Cheating On My Car

Normally, I condemn any type of cheating. I was always that girl in grade school, middle school, high school & college who refused to cheat (ok fine, not college .. in my defense online courses are made for cheating)! Going off tangent, hmm .. where was I? Yes, cheating! I will most certainly, without losing any sleep, cheat on my tank of a car with this little cutie.

I've been eyeing this on www.Urbanoutfitters.com (bike shop) for nearly two years now! You can practically customize every last detail on your baby (unlike men) and for a picky, option-loving Gemini .. this is HEAVEN on wheels LITERALLY!

Not to mention they have accessories. I'd get a crocodile honk and a sweet wooden basket! With all that said, please see below for wire donation instructions:

JUST KIDDING!

Crummy Advice Can Be So Marvelous

 

Eat donuts. Wave at a stranger while driving. Have a shot before 12 noon. Tell the truth. Light candles and sing in the dark. Look up a word in the dictionary. Give compliments you mean. Don't make wishes, make decisions. Frame pictures. Buy something you've been wanting. Give something away. Throw away someone else's trash. Send a friend a hand written letter. Eat candy. Kiss and tell. Take a drive to nowhere. Plan a trip. Pick a penny and bless it lucky. Give the penny away. Take deep breaths. Predict the future by creating it.  Donate your time to a non-profit organization. Buy a dozen balloons and let them go. Bake something even if you burn it. Tell someone a secret. Don't wonder about answers you don't have. Don't follow your dreams, stalk them, chase them, corner them & have them. Forget any insults you've ever heard. Lay in the sun. Take a completely different route home. Cross your fingers. Whisper through a whole conversation. Pray for someone else. Pick a flower. Kick stress in the balls. Ask someone over 75 to tell you a story. Date someone completely wrong for you. Turn off the television. Read. Forget getting approval from others. Fake it till you feel it. Smile. Fight tears. Enjoy life's struggles. Shock yourself with yourself.

A. Esmaili's "out of order" advice! :)

Top Of The Day To You

So when I was in the big apple I had the pleasure of visiting Top Shop in Soho & ever since I find myself typing  "www.topshop.com" every few days.

Here are my recent picks!

http://us.topshop.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?beginIndex=0&viewAllFlag=&catalogId=33060&storeId=13052&productId=2301304&langId=-1&sort_field=Relevance&categoryId=283494&parent_categoryId=208586&pageSize=200

http://us.topshop.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?beginIndex=0&viewAllFlag=&catalogId=33060&storeId=13052&productId=2444981&langId=-1&sort_field=Relevance&categoryId=208659&parent_categoryId=208580&pageSize=20

http://us.topshop.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?beginIndex=0&viewAllFlag=&catalogId=33060&storeId=13052&productId=2428433&langId=-1&sort_field=Relevance&categoryId=208659&parent_categoryId=208580&pageSize=200

http://us.topshop.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?beginIndex=0&viewAllFlag=&catalogId=33060&storeId=13052&productId=2362158&langId=-1&sort_field=Relevance&categoryId=208692&parent_categoryId=208581&pageSize=200&refinements=category~[210014|208692]&noOfRefinements=1