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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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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MY LOSS IS YOUR GAIN {GIVEAWAY}

I took the plunge. I finally did it. I took everything in my closet and organized it into 4 piles: to keep, to donate, to sell and to giveaway. The smallest pile, remarkably, was my to keep pile! It's such a shame that a good portion of my closet is unworn, unloved and still has the tags dangling off of it.

Then I had an epiphany! Why not host a weekly giveaway because my readers are the loveliest people ever?! So here it is! I'll be doing a weekly giveaway until I run out of things to give.

Since I've been reminiscing about Paris a lot lately, this 'Je t'aime' crop top from Urban Outfitters with a cool cold shoulder cut out seems too appropriate. Brand new and a size small. This is how I would dress it!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The giveaway will run until Sunday, 3/2 at midnight. 

US residents only! {sorry, international readers!}

Winner will be contacted on Monday, good luck my dumplings! 

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LESS IS MORE

{photo cred: Youri Park}

wearing: American Apparel bouclé shawl cardigan, LA hearts black dress c/o PacSun, 

H&M ankle socks, Dolce Vita booties, Primark crop top

Someone once told me, "kid, you're too young to be wearing all that black." It's hard breaking such a beautiful habit, I can't help but pile on the blacks, the whites, and the neutrals. Some may call it boring but I'm a fan of easy dressing and this minimal color palette. So I guess all I have to say is, sorry I'm not even sorry one bit.

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GO EASY

{photos by Youri Park}

wearing: Nollie daisy cropped sweater {c/o PacSun}, Nasty Gal leather jacket, 

thrifted vintage Levis, gifted Kelsi Dagger flats via ModCloth, Philip Lim x Target Pashli mini 

Be kind to yourself, this is something that I've been thinking a lot about. We use and abuse our bodies like nobody's business. I would know. I've been there, done that and am currently still doing that. But guess what? It is somebody's business. It's yours! We're a generation of live fast, die young, go hard or go home. And sometimes you have to do just that; to go home, relax and be okay with who you are, where you are and where you're going. Don't forget about yourself. It's easy to get caught up with everything: with tests, a s/o, with partying and/or responsibilities. Take care of yourself: mentally, physically and emotionally. Love yourself because no one else can until you do.

Be kind, go easy. Relax and enjoy. For those of you on the semester system, welcome back! For those of you already deep into life, don't forget to appreciate the little things and keep calm.

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