Updated usually on Mondays and/or Thursdays!


Monday, January 26, 2015

Shirts with Stories

Apologies for my two-week absence! I've been mentally strained for the past two weeks because of finals and the SAT. Not to mention, both Diana and I are sick, but our ill bodies did not stop us from going out for a shoot! I am thrilled for this first literature-inspired blog post! My outfit was inspired by Kirsten Hubbard's Wanderlove. If you are a sucker for adventures and romance, then this book is for you! Make sure to read below for Diana's review on Wanderlove. There are many more to come. Enjoy! -Dorothy

A bit about Wanderlove first:

Wanderlove
By: Kirsten Hubbard
It all begins with a stupid question:

Are you a Global Vagabond?

No, but 18-year-old Bria Sandoval wants to be. In a quest for independence, her neglected art, and no-strings-attached hookups, she signs up for a guided tour of Central America—the wrong one. Middle-aged tourists with fanny packs are hardly the key to self-rediscovery. When Bria meets Rowan, devoted backpacker and dive instructor, and his outspokenly humanitarian sister Starling, she seizes the chance to ditch her group and join them off the beaten path.

Bria's a good girl trying to go bad. Rowan's a bad boy trying to stay good. As they travel across a panorama of Mayan villages, remote Belizean islands, and hostels plagued with jungle beasties, they discover what they've got in common: both seek to leave behind the old versions of themselves. And the secret to escaping the past, Rowan’s found, is to keep moving forward.

But Bria comes to realize she can't run forever, no matter what Rowan says. If she ever wants the courage to fall for someone worthwhile, she has to start looking back.

Kirsten Hubbard lends her artistry to this ultimate backpacker novel, weaving her drawings into the text. Her career as a travel writer and her experiences as a real-life vagabond backpacking Central America are deeply seeded in this inspiring story.

-Summary from Goodreads


I am obsessed with adventures.

Yes, I'm deathly afraid of heights. No, I don't have enough common sense to travel around the world without the very real possibility of plummeting into situations that a little kid could warn you about. But that's not the point of an adventure, is it? To stay within your comfort zones, to test the limits with safety nets below you?

Wanderlove is about so much more than just traveling and adventures. It's about love, about trust, about running away and not running away. About staying still and not staying still. About watching the world spin around like a merry-go-round ride while you're standing in the middle, and as it sweeps you away into a land of endless confusion, you learn to eventually grab on to a horse and climb on, fighting your way through the hurdles of life. But, at it's heart, it's also a beautiful love story. There is no such concept as insta-love here. It is a fascinating and eternal and aching journey of learning that, yes, it's alright to fall back into someone else's arms, even after everything you've lost. It's okay to be afraid. It's okay to be angry. But you have to learn to discover the when, so that when the time comes, you won't miss it.

This story thrums with inspiration, pulsates with humanity, and rumbles with adventure. Surely, like any other book, it won't please the palate of every person. But I hope you read it, and that it makes you wonder and it makes you love.


Graphic Tee: Abercrombie//Olive Pants: American Eagle//Necklace: Forever 21 (click to enlarge photo)


I chose this graphic tee because 1)it matched the title of the book and 2)the graphic represents the main idea of the book.I love adventures-food adventures, amusement park adventures, spontaneous adventures, etc. I will always be consumed by wanderlust because I love traveling. It is a token to my happiness. The feeling of satisfaction I get from adventuring is unparalleled to anything else; it is distinct in how it affects me.

Simple yet meaningful graphic tees are great to have because they are so comfortable and easy to wear. I wear graphic tees when I'm too lazy to put together an outfit that requires more effort. 

 
I wore olive-green pants to complement the forest and nature colors on the graphic tee. Had I worn blue jeans, the outfit would have looked more bland. Thus, it is important to own several colored pants. Besides wearing different hues of blue jeans, colored pants like this one can make the outfit look like you put in more effort. 

Tip: An easier way to put together a nice outfit is to pair a simple top with colored pants. The color of the top should complement that of the pants. 
 



I accidentally left this necklace on the branch after Diana took this photograph...I didn't realize until I got home. *deep sigh*
This watch was given to me from my grandma, and it is so versatile. I practically wear it everyday. The earrings I got for Christmas this year from a classmate. Love them!
 A shirt can speak about your character; I tend to choose graphic tees that I personally feel connected to. It might seem odd, but hey, wear you and wear what you love. 


Have a wanderlustful week, everyone!




Monday, January 5, 2015

A BRRRand New Year!

Happy New Year, everyone! I can barely fathom the fact that it is already 2015. 2014 sprinted right past me, and every second it's running father and farther away. It is an understatement to state that this year will be insanely jam-packed. There is so much that is predictable about 2015. However, so much more is erratic and up in the air. Regardless, I'm thrilled for the imminent experiences and opportunities this year has to offer. Because Diana and I are students and we aren't ones with much free time, maintaining and updating Letrendary will definitely be a new challenge. Nevertheless, Diana and I will put forth our best effort to make Letrendary the best that it can be this year. 

Recently, it has been chillier in Southern California, and I have been enjoying it. For the past two weeks of winter break, I spent the great majority of it at home studying. Therefore, this adventure to Mt. Baldy was a treat to starting off the new year. It was especially notable because I had not seen snow for two whole years. Since I knew there was going to be snow, I made this week's post about layering for cold weather. I also added pictures of a few of my favorite hats for the winter. Frankly, I don't really wear my hats often. Although I have a decent number of them, I don't find myself wearing them as much as I should. Anyhow, hats are always a good idea to keep warm and add flair to any outfit. 
*click on photos to enlarge*
Striped Sweater: Abercrombie / Denim Flannel: Polo Ralph Lauren / Charcoal Pea Coat: Nordstrom / Black Jeans: American Eagle / Boots: Franco Sarto / Charcoal Scarf: Saks Off Fifth
I wore 4 layers in this outfit. I first wore a v-neck t-shirt underneath my striped sweater in order to have a thin layer beneath it. On top of the striped sweater, I wore a denim flannel. For the fourth layer, I wore a grey pea coat. 
Tip for the week: Rather than just wearing a long sleeve and a thick jacket, layering sweaters, flannels, t-shirts, etc. is a smart way to mix and match different staples. Plus, you'll be warmer in the end. Another thing to keep in mind is that scarves are a necessity in this sort of cold weather. Never underestimate the difference a scarf can make! I'd say this specific outfit is adequate for 50-60 degrees weather. If it were colder, I would have traded out the striped sweater for a sweater that was thicker, and I would have worn a thicker thermal coat.
Knit Headband
(Nordstrom)
Classic Knit Beanie with Pom-Pom
My dog ripped off the pom-pom last night...*sigh*
(Saks Off Fifth)
Grey Knit Beanie
(Michael by Michael Kors)
Beret
I got this beret for Christmas several years ago, and I still love it because it's adorned with striped sequins and a chiffon flower.
(Juicy Couture)

Wool Beanie
(True Religion)
The cable-knit pattern on the beanie matches exactly with the thick cable-knit sweater I am wearing. Also, light pink and white are two colors that complement each other.
Cable Knit Sweater: American Eagle / Snow Jacket: Roxy / Snow Boots: The North Face

Thanks so much for reading! Have a stellar first week of 2015!