No Great Expectations...

Hello, hello, hello friends! Good job if you get the Dharles Cikins reference (I really, really do not like the man). It'll make sense if you keep reading. Anyways, with graduation approaching so soon, I finally got the opportunity to get my senior pictures taken by Diana! I'm excited to share these photos with you because the pictures turned out so lovely. When I look back at these 5, 10, 20 years from now, it'll bring back so many memories of high school. I'm sure you won't be too surprised with the floral, nature aesthetic going on. Aside from sharing these pictures, I also want to tell you a few things that I've really been soaking and thinking about. Enjoy!

I am finally graduating next week...yayyayyy!!! I honestly could not be happier with the timing of graduation. I have become so comfortable and familiar with the routine of high school that it is indeed time for change. That is not to say that I am totally ready either...but I think that's what makes change so thrilling and nerve-wracking--having to embrace the unknown.

I try to picture myself five months down the road, and it's hard to grasp. My mind intrinsically wants to set expectations but my heart tells me otherwise. Seeing my family everyday, eating dinner at home, practicing piano everyday... all these parts of my life will change. But then again...when have I ever been able to grasp the future? All throughout high school, I've been in a constant "think about the future" mode. I immersed myself into different teams and programs with the hope and mentality of it meaning something more in the long run...and they all did. In the end, I gained more than what I had to put in. Whether it was Piano, Wolfcast, IB, or anything else, they all taught me something that I otherwise wouldn't have learned.

Beige Peony Dress: Nectar Clothing // Off-the-shoulder Blouse: Nectar Clothing

I took each day one by one, while at the same time, I had hopes that eventually turned into goals. My goals throughout high school ranged from being more thankful to finding balance between work and play to being a positive role-model in certain activities. These hopes motivated me to stay up when I was exhausted and to work harder when I disappointed myself and/or those around me. So what I'm trying to get at is...I find it unnecessary to set great expectations for I'll be doing next week, five months, or ten years from today. I think there is a subtle difference between expectation and hopes that can turn into goals; hope unifies the heart and mind in place while expectations can lead to one of two things: success or disappointment. As for goals, they serve as a motivate force that will come as a result of hope preparing heart and mind.

At this time, I just want to thank all my friends, classmates, and teachers. I've grown a lot these past years because of you all. One of my biggest takeaways is that I don't need to take everything too seriously. Spend time doing the things that you love; it's not a waste of your time if you're enjoying it. I allocated a lot of time playing piano (to the point my parents were extremely concerned) but I chose to do that because that's what felt right, and it was the right choice. When I say don't take things to seriously, I also mean that there should be a healthy balance of being studious and procrastinating/being busy and relaxing. That's the way life is; work hard but also step back and breathe.

Thank you so much for reading. I hope you enjoyed reading and seeing the pics. Thank you again to Diana for taking these pictures!!! Je t'aime <3

To all the 2016 graduates, CONGRATULATIONS!!! Your futures are so bright and full of wonders! May your lives be full of great joy and love.

A Promantic Walk Through the Woods: Prom 2016

PROM 2016

Hey everyone! I am bubbling with excitement to share this post with you because...prom and dresses and beautiful people and big smiles and AHHH!!! I had an IB exam every day last week, so I really appreciated the time I had to take my mind off of studying and be worry-free! I really hope you love this post!

Nancy wore a beaded-bodice, taffeta gown by Adrianna Papell and she got it at Nordstrom! The beads and flowers were hand-sown onto the bodice. Nancy describes her style to be classic, classy, and east-coast chic. I absolutely loved her dress because it's simple and elegant but still spiced up with the detailed work in the beading. 

Winnie bought her dress at Group USA! It is emerald green with embellishments aligned on the edges of the cutouts. She wears it with huge SLYTHERIN pride! Cut-out dresses have especially been in style since last year. The color was so perfect for the occasion!

Christine wore a dress by Tadashi Shoji! For those of you not familiar with Tadashi, he is a well-known designer in the fashion world. Her dress is actually her mom's from when she was in college, which makes it all the more special and sentimental.

Erinna bought her dress at Nordstrom. She loves wearing light pink and was looking for a dress with a high neckline that was lightweight. This dress obviously met her criteria. 

Tabitha got her dress at David's Bridal. The elegant floral beading on the side is what Tabitha loves the most about the dress. She also wore a simple diamond necklace to add to the dress. As I say, you can never go wrong with a simple black dress!

My dress is by Adrianna Papell and is made of tulle and chiffon. On the dress are flower petals, which really made me gravitate towards this dress. I also love color-block dresses, so this dress was a must for me. Also, you can never go wrong with black and white--it's timeless! I decided to paint my nails, which is rare since I play piano. I went with burgundy red as a contrast to the black and white. 

Andrea's dress is from Roxy's Bridal in Montclair. Andrea describes her style to be simple and elegant. She said the dress was very comfortable throughout the night, which is an absolute plus! As Andrea eloquently puts, "Comfort first, diamonds second."  Also, I must add that I am in LOVE with her corsage. The white and gold accents of the orchid go perfectly with her dress.

Beside the fashion, prom was a wonderful experience and I'm glad I can finally check it off my list of exciting events before graduation! Thanks to everyone who contributed to making this post possible, especially the brilliant Diana Chao for coming out and photographing us! 

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Have a wonderful week!

So Long Winter, We're Springing Forward!

Hello everyone!!! I know it's been a while. It's crazy how we're already mid-way through March--like whoah!! When did January and February happen? To celebrate the imminent transition of season, here's 4 outfits to guide you for spring outfits. Technically Spring Equinox isn't until next Sunday, but it's definitely feeling like spring in SoCal! I don't know about you, but I've been dealing with spring allergies in 80 degrees weather. But that's beside the point. I hope you enjoy this post and maybe you'll find some of my tips helpful!

Off the shoulder blouse: Zara // Floral Drawstring Pants: Polo Ralph Lauren // Sandals: Franco Sarto

Don't tell anyone...but the pants I have on are actually pajama pants that I bought about a month ago on sale. I think it's totally wearable with a plain top. Plus it's comfy!

I'm so strong I can push a tree! Nope, totally kidding.

For this outfit, I thought a black top would be a nice contrast to the red drawstrings. Since there is quite a floral pattern going on, it's better to be simple on the top so the outfit doesn't look like a clutter. As far as accessories, I stacked my usual Seiko watch with an Alex and Ani bracelet and a turquoise stone bangle to complement the turquoise-toned flowers on the pants.

~ Gotta love the City of Trees ~

Black Blazer: Kenzie (Nordstrom) // Magenta Peplum Tank: American Eagle // Boyfriend Jeans: American Eagle // Initial Bar Necklace: Nectar // 3 Triangle Necklace: Forever 21

When it gets slightly chilly, throw on a blazer. It'll do the trick! It is a principle that blazers add sophistication to any casual outfit. I'm not as much of a fan of preppy clothing anymore, but I still like how blazers look on top of a casual combo. 

I'm usually not big on buying colorful tops (like magenta) because I prefer neutral colors that match with everything...BUT it's still important to have a bit of variety. When I buy colorful tops, I usually like them simple with a twist. This magenta top, for example, had a peplum bottom half that I really love. It really pops out in this outfit because it contrasts with the black.  

How cool is this pattern?! I love how there are two separate patterns that intertwine. This dress was my mom's from many, many years ago. The dress originally has shoulder-pads (yes, that long ago), so I cut them out and turned it into my own midi dress. Being resourceful 101 everybody!!!

Slip Dress: Free People

I usually wear this dress by itself, but I also like how it looks with the boyfriend jeans. I got this dress on sale at Nordstrom for like 60 dollars, so it was a good deal considering it's usually 90. The best part of this slip is that it's extremely light weight and flowy. It's perfect for the spring time! It's also easy to work with, so it would look good if I were to wear it with a cardigan or a sweater.

THANKS FOR READING!