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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TURN UP, TURNIP

{photos by Janne Rivera}

wearing: Zara "simplicity" tee, DIY'd BDG skinnies, thrifted shoes, gifted leather purse

There are few things better than bottomless mimosas and a sunny San Francisco. I was blessed with both this Saturday, making it one of the best weekends I've had in a while! Catching up with the baddest bish I know, Janne, on everything from post-grad struggles to our shared wanderlust to the usual topics of boys, tattoos and piercings.

We took these AFTER 4 or 5 mimosas...how we were able to keep a straight face and a stable hand baffles me. Afterwards, we thrifted me a pirate costume and then walked 6 blocks to get some crazy good cookies. Crazy laughter and hilarity ensued, like always. There is never a dull moment with this girl. Never. And thank god for that!

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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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NOTHING FANCY

 wearing: gray cardigan {giftcard/Modcloth}, geeky glasses necklace {gifted/ModCloth}, chambray button up {$9/Crossroad Trading Co.}, BDG ankle skinnies {$40/Urban Outfitters}, brogues {$35/ASOS}

These days, easy does it completely does it for me.  I can now get ready for class/life in under 20 minutes, and that's a huge feat for someone like me. I don't really care about re-wearing the same shirt or outfit as I did back home. It just seems to matter less, ironic isn't it? I came to Paris, the fashion capital of the world, and yet I care less about the way I look and especially the way I dress. As Audrey Hepburn once said, and my auntie so kindly reminded me, "happy girls are the prettiest girls." I believe it.

Life has been beautiful and the beauty comes from the smallest victories like ordering a crudité and café crème in French. Some days are definitely harder than others but I'm getting by. I'm just counting my blessings and enjoying a slower pace of living. No work? No club activities? Blasphemy! I have never had such a free semester before and I am completely loving it. What am I doing with all of my free time? Netflixing aside I am always trying to figure out what trip I want to take next. So far London and Amsterdam have been booked (which I am TOO stoked about) and now we're working on Spain and Italy. Life is still so unreal, the magic of Paris hasn't worn off yet.

These photos were taken a while ago, forgive me as I have been lazy and extra lazy. Just another day at Musée d'Orsay, admiring the paintings, pointing at sculptured penises, and trying to steal a french baby. Oh, and rocking a side pony. You know, the usual.

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BEST OF BOTH WORLDS

wearing: vintage southwest cardigan {$3/sample sale}, black Roxy tank top {$10/TJ Maxx}, black high-waisted BDG skinnies {$40/Urban Outfitters}, free ImBoyCrazy tote, gifted black Dolce Vita booties

/ outfit total: $53 /

My first week in Paris was unbearably hot, like ridonk a donk hot. Like sweating through my shorts and have to take two showers to feel normal kind of hot. I'm a Bay Area girl, which means that I love my "sunny but not all that sunny" days. I don't dig humidity, like not at all. Luckily for me, the gods have answered my prayers and given me exactly what I wished for: fall weather. I love my sweater weather, both literally and in The Neighbourhood's way.

And, as it turns out, black is my life. Most of my wardrobe is of the darker variety, who knew when that happened. The possibilities are endless when everything is black. I just love the way it looks against each other, black on black and even black on black on black. Everything matches or maybe I'm just getting lazier. That makes me love this crazy multicolored cardigan all the more, it adds just enough color and it feels like a cozy blanket. You get the best of both worlds with this outfit, as Hannah Montana once said.

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DOWNTOWN

{Photos by Laura Nguyen}

wearing: Lovers+Friends lace top {$5/sample sale}, ikat PacSun shorts {$5}, gold Lucky Brand bracelet {$3/sample sale}, Lucky Brand beanie {$3/sample sale}, thrifted Coach satchel {$15/Savers}, gifted To Be Announced burgundy wedges {Solestruck}

     // outfit total: $31 //

I'm in Paris! Sure, my vocabulary is limited to bonjour, merci, and je suis but I am falling in love with this city with every passing minute. Everything is beautiful. I finally understand why people say Paris is the place to fall in love, it's hard not to. I am in a perpetual state of awe and amusement, much like a little kid in a candy shop. Always on the go and seeing different face and places, I can't believe I'm actually here.

These were taken a while back in DTLA by my favorite photographer ever, wink wink. This is probably one of the cheapest and most colorful outfits I have worn in a long long time. Sample sale finds and contest wins pretty much make my life and my wardrobe for that matter. It's good to break out of your comfort zone every once in a while, a little dash of color and lace never hurt anyone!

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THE HERE & THE NOW

{photos by Laura Nguyen}

wearing: Fashion Exchange crop top {$6}, yellow printed skirt {$12/Crossroads Trading Co.}, gifted Dolce Vita booties {ModCloth}, borrowed black waist belt, vintage Coach Satchel {$15/thrift store}

These were taken at the infamous Urban Lights at LACMA on my last night in LA. I'm always one to record different parts and pieces of my life, I like carrying around my memories with me at all times. It's comforting in a way, being able to think back on the good and the bad. Some may call me a romantic and others may think I'm a hoarder, but it's a big part of who I am. 

I fell in love with LA this summer, like really really completely head-over-heads in love with the city. 2013 hasn't been the easiest year for me, it has actually been one of the hardest year by far. Life has a way of throwing curveballs at you when you least expect it, but that's what great about life, isn't it? Being young and resilient, bouncing back is in our DNA. We're constantly being reminded how beautiful and transient life can be and is. 

That's a little backstory about my new tattoo. People have been seeing glimpses and peeks of it on instagram, and here it is, just two days after I got it done. I won't go into the long explanation and story behind it because I think it speaks for itself. I love looking down and seeing this beautiful lotus flower, it brings the biggest smile to my face. It reminds me where I've been and where I'm going; it keeps me grounded and looking forward.

P.S. A huge thank you to Craig J at American Electric Tattoo for making my second tattoo experience even better than the first! Completely obsessed with him and his chill shop, I am so looking forward to my next one.

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