TRANSPARENCY

wearing: BDG tank top, Derek Cardigan frames from Coastal Glasses

Onto newer and clearer things, my new Derek Cardigan frames came in from Coastal Glasses. If you know me, you know that I'm practically blind -- like actually blind as a bat, I can't see sheeeeeep kind of blind (if you get that reference, I love you)! I started wearing glasses in the fourth grade and kids would always make fun of them so naturally I grew to hate them. I never felt like myself in them; I got contacts the first chance I could and never looked back. I rarely, if ever, wear glasses in public. 

But recently, I've been coming into myself -- I have been making adjustments to parts of me that I never particularly liked. Like my nose, I haaaaaaaated my nose for the longest time -- for what feels like ever really. Ever since I got my septum ring, I've been in love with it; that little glimmer of gold has made a big difference in my confidence.

So I got new glasses to do the same, I wanted something I wouldn't be self conscious to wear in public. And these are it. The simplicity, the minimalistic design are exactly what I was looking for. Isn't it funny how we can dress up parts and pieces of ourselves and how that can make all the difference?

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MAKING WORK WEEK WERK: BLAZER & FLATS {DAY 4 OF 5}

wearing: Berkeley tank, Forever 21 flannel, high waisted denim from Crossroads Trading Co.

Okay if you couldn't tell by now, I'm in neither a blazer nor flats. I'm a cheater cheater pumpkin eater. Did you really expect me to get dressed up when I have the luxury of working from my bed? Exactly. 

So I defaulted, I went right back to my nasty old habits; I told you I live in my high waisted shorts. It's funny, those Guess shorts I found for $7 my freshmen year (as seen here, here & here), the ones that abused and loved to pieces, ripped right below my right cheek last weekend -- It's the end of an era. But thankfully, I found this pair at Crossroads and I hope they'll last just as long, if not longer. It seems that I make the best memories when I'm in cut offs, figures.

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MAKING WORK WEEK WERK: BLAZER & FLATS {DAY 3 OF 5}

wearing: gifted LC Lauren Conrad for Kohl's {similar}, Report d'orsay bow flats from Macys {similar}, Zara dress from Crossroads Trading Co., Opening Ceremony x Chloe Sevigny sunnies from Poshmark

I spend most of my day in my car; that commute struggle is my biggest struggle, emphasize on the BIGGEST. I can deal with one hour of traffic fine, that's a piece of cake. I was okay with 1.5 hours and was even able to stomach 2 hours of traffic with minimal complaints, but 2.5 hours of bumper-to-bumper can make anyone a little crazy. It has been a looooong day to say the least. The good news is that I get to work from home for the rest of the week so I don't have to deal with all that craziness until Monday morning. This little nugget is beyond thankful.

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MAKING WORK WEEK WERK: BLAZER & FLATS {DAY 2 OF 5}

wearing: gifted LC Lauren Conrad for Kohl's {similar}, Report d'orsay bow flats from Macys {similar}, Zara 'simplicity' tee, BDG high waisted black skinnies, Forever 21 sunnies

I have a confession to make...I'm obsessed with Grey's Anatomy. I stayed up way too late because I just HAD to find out what happened to the bomb in the hospital, I mean who could walk away from something like that?!

So I kept things super easy because I was ready to gauge my eyes out when my alarm went off this morning. A knotted tee and high waisted jeans are my go-tos for a semi-put together yet secretly lazy outfit. The blazer is the perfect finishing touch; if you throw a blazer on, it automatically looks like you tried.

Come to think of it, most outfits are lazy outfits: my socks never match, I'd rather wear shorts or skirts over jeans and pants, and if I can get away with not wearing a bra, I will. I'm probably the laziest human being alive. I know that I was a panda in my past life, I can just feel it in my bones.

Check out day 1 below & be sure to see day 3 tomorrow!

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MAKING WORK WEEK WERK: BLAZER & FLATS {DAY 1 OF 5}

wearing: gifted LC Lauren Conrad for Kohl's {similar}, starry button up from Seoul {a great summer version here} , BDG ankle grazers, Report d'orsay bow flats from Macys {similar}, Forever 21 sunnies, gifted Anthropologie bracelet

If you know me, you know that I'm as far from office appropriate as a person can possibly be. The checklist that runs through my head when I go shopping goes something like, "Can I wear this without a bra? Is it cropped? Does it cover my butt? Yes? Sweeeet." 

A big reason why I can't do hardcore corporate world is because of this; I like dressing the way I dress and it's hard for me to change that. Luckily for me, I work at a start-up and we emphasize the casual in business casual. 

In an attempt to be savvy with my money since real life costs so damn much (LIKE WHY DOES IT COST SO MUCH TO BE ALIVE?!), I've decided that I'm going to challenge myself to re-wear this blazer -- that was gifted to me from a previous internship -- and these $20 Report flats that I found at Macys for the rest of this work week. Re-wearing is the new black, right? 

Since it's Monday and I worked all day yesterday at my other job, getting up was more difficult than it was getting into these jeans. This was about as much effort as I could summon for the day. So I kept it super simple, with my favorite Alexa Chung-inspired button up and sunnies to cover up those sleep-deprived circles. Completely office appropro, even I was surprised to see myself in jeans when the sun's out. Check back to see how the rest of the week goes!

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I SEE LDN, I SEE FR

photos taken by Jennie Vu

wearing: LDN top c/o Sammy Dress, thrifted cut offs, white Converse high tops, gifted leather bag, gray Forever 21 sunnies

Yes, you may see London on my shirt (and it's only $7 from Sammy Dress!!!), and we may have seen France on our plates (Café Clem, just go), but thankfully my shorts aren't cheeky enough for you to see my underpants (see what I did there...). Every once in a while you just have to double up on the denims and whites and call it a day. It is okay to break all the rules and just go with it.

And every once in a while you just have to jump on a bus post-brunch and hang out in the Haight like all the cool kids. Spontaneity creates the best memories and decisions apparently. These are the best kinds of days.

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SPORTY SPICE

Wearing: velvet Primark crop top, burgundy Forever 21 skirt, LA Hearts daisy sweater c/o Pacsun, thrifted leather flats, gifted leather bag

Crop tops are literally my favorite things at the moment. They're basically the only things I even pick up when I go shopping nowadays. In neutral colors, they're so easy to match and they're just inappropriate enough for my liking. Also, they're a great motivator for me to hit the gym and werk for those abs. If you want it, you gotta work, bitch. 

P.S. You know why I tied that sweater around my waist? Because panty lines. A clever way to shield your behind, no?

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JUST LIKE CHUNG

{photos by Youri Park}

wearing: F21 blue sweater, thrifted denim button up, BDG ankle skimmers, Kelsi Dagger flats, gifted leather bag

Alexa Chung: I love her, I met her, I fawn overher all day, everyday. It's as if her coolness has the same posh accent that she does, oh how I love it so. One of my biggest style icons, I can't get over how awkwardly put together she is at all times; it's whimsical.

And like, she wears jeans, button ups and sweaters, and, like, I too wear jeans, button ups and sweaters. We're basically sisters from another mister...and mother.

Thus, here's a little tribute to my favorite Chung.

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HIKING IN $400 BOOTS

wearing: American Apparel shawl & crop button up, F21 black skirt, Jeffrey Campbell for Free People boots via Poshmark

Dating is hard. You never really know what you're getting yourself into. And that's how I ended up climbing up Bernal Heights in the world's most inappropriate hiking outfit. Everyone was decked out in workout attire, and there I was, in my miniskirt and $400 boots (that I only paid 1/4 of retail for! Thanks Poshmark!). Classic Anisa moment.

First dates are funny like that. You make some loose plans, like grabbing coffee or drinks, and see where it goes from there. And sometimes you end up catching the most beautiful sunset overlooking the city you've grown to love so much. And sometimes that date ends up taking your outfit photos for your blog. You never know what will come from a date, you just never know.

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NEW YEAR & NEW YORK

/ photos by Danielle Ma /

{wearing}: Zara trench coat, H&M beaded t-shirt, Primark cardigan, 

Forever 21 flannel, plaid skirt, and studded combat boots

New Year, New York, new me? Isn't that what we all hope for with every January 1st? A nice clean slate that we can mark up with all of our highs and lows, our wins and fails for the next 365 days. And, with the next January 1st, to have it all just wash away. It's a nice thought, a great sentiment, although not a very realistic one. If only that was how it all worked. 

But with every new year, we get a new set of eyes. Some things clear up while other things blur. And that's why this is one of my favorite times of the year. I love feeling refreshed, renewed and ready to take on the world. It's all a head game really. Entering my last semester at Berkeley, I have a lot to consider, reconsider and figure out before May rolls around. After playing my way through Europe for the last four months, I'm looking forward to grounding myself and getting back to business.

And that future will hopefully lie in NYC. I love this city so much, from the entertainment to the neighborhoods to the amazing eats. This city is growing on me with every passing day. I can't imagine living anywhere else in my twenties and I can't wait to get myself back here as soon as I possibly can. That's one of my main goals for 2014. Since I'm so over resolutions (they're too easy to forget and ignore), I want goals that I can check off as the year goes along. And so, cheers to 2014, may the new year bring you, my loves, lots of happiness and joy :)

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TWICE AS NICE

{photos by Laura Nguyen}

wearing: v-neck crop top {$8/Q}, Lucky Brand men's leather belt, tan cut-out skirt {$8/Agaci}, Michael Kors leather pumps {$20/Buffalos Exchange}, vintage Coach satchel {$15, Savers}

The best things in life...come in twos, right? A very late post of one of my favorites, this simple little get-up was shot over summer right next to my office in LA. Looking at these photos makes me reminisce those long summer days and hot summer nights with the people that make me laugh most. A pool, a couple of beers and great company was all that we needed. Sigh, that and my summer bod. Take me back.

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WANDERLAND

wearing: Vintage striped top {22 euros/Kiliwatch Paris}, gray skater skirt {12 euros/H&M}, vintage leather purse {20 euros/vintage store in Paris}, vintage Longchamp purse {5 euros/flea market}

Life in Paris has been pleasantly, well, pleasant. It certainly has lost a bit of the rosy hue that we all came in seeing, but it is still a beautiful city that stuns and surprises me around every corner. Being extremely lucky, I have met some incredible people that fit into my life so well that I can't even imagine life without them. But even so, I've been stuck in a reminiscing mood and have been missing life back home in California quite dearly. Fortunately, the travel bug has surely remedied that heartache...at least temporarily anyways. Already visited London and Amsterdam (look out for those travel diaries soon!), I can't wait to hit up Italy next!

Here are a few snapshots from a day trip to Giverny, a town outside of Paris where Monet lived. Monet, or Mo-money as I say, lived among a floral wonderland. Seriously. His house and, more importantly his garden and pond, blew my mind. One of my favorite days so far, I can't believe I got to see a sight that has inspired so many great painters. We also stumbled upon a little flea market where I picked up this vintage Longchamp and a cute little black dress for only 5 euros each!

I promise, promise, promise I'll make an effort to update more. I'm more so just being lazy rather than being busy, I'll get back into the swing of things, like taking longer than 2 minutes to get dressed in the mornings #sorrynotsorrybutreallysorry. I'm excited to get a proper outfit shot up soon, stay tuned love bugs!

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