tu me manques

I wanted to share a few photos from Paris, whom I miss very much. I've been too busy to go back and life hasn't really made it easy either. But this pass year has been very hard, probably because I was supposed to go for a month in March and it fell through. Oh Paris, I miss you dearly. I wanted to share MORE photos, but the power is out at my house, so this will have to do for now. I'll continue to share more on thursdays as my little "throwback"...

*sidenote I HATED that photo when it was taken of me a few years ago, but now looking back I love how candid and happy I look, funny how your perception of things change over time. By the way, here's a great french song (sort of) to express how I've been feeling lately! Just tugs on your heart strings right?

the city of love

Nothing says happy valentines day, quite like the city of love. i just wanted to post my last few favorite photos of this wonderful city. (especially of the street markets, SO MUCH BABAR JE T'AIME BABAR) I hold my breathe in anticipation of visiting Paris soon. I think what really happened was that I was inspired by "le artiste" which i saw last night. AND IT WAS AMAZING (GO SEE IT GO GO GO) So maybe I should leave you here by just saying:

"Happy George Valentin's Day"

oh ho ho ho ♥

(ps. a very happy birthday to one of my best friends hermela! see you in nyc soon bb!)
(pps. dont forget to enter the GIVEAWAY!!!)

just wanna do somethin special

For all the ladies in the world....And dream about the sexy sexiness of Parisian men. Let me tell you I never felt so attractive until I went to France, it boosted my confidence like 85% from where it was. I always found myself to be s bit strange looking to my peers in Chicago, but with my ancestors in Paris I was the belle of the ball! Really allowed me to reevaluate myself and I came back a blogging MACHINE. I truly fit in there, Parisian women have "cooky" style, curly hair, some have brown skin, and best part...THEY EAT. So as it snows another freakin foot in Chicago today, lets all have a summer fling with some of the most handsome men the world has to offer.

Also take a lesson that I learned in France, feel confident in the skin your in, nothing is sexier than that.

ok and HOW ADORABLE IS THIS LITTLE GUY,
jeez even the kids of paris have AMAZING STYLE
bet he breaks all the little kindergarteners hearts....lawls

♥

remembering Paris (pt 1)

( i seriously adore this last picture I took, she embodied the perfect french woman in my eyes, beautiful, effortless, chic, and even looks great with me snapping her photos while walking through the louvre)

I can't believe 2011 is almost over, I'm not ready! I honoring this great year and my blog's birthday I decided to get a little nostalgic and reflect on my trip to Europe. Though London was amazing, Paris has a deeply special place in my heart. I've never felt so at home until I was there. I mean my family is french but I'm fairly american. I finally felt "normal" when I walked through those dizzying streets, and quickly accepted the Parisian lifestyle. I wanted to share some photos of my trip with you but I have so much to share! So I'll have to do it in a few parts.

Oh a few lessons from my trip;

Lesson one: Parisians are lovely people, and if anyone tells you other wise, they probably did something to piss them off.

Lesson number two: if your french is tres rusty (like mine!) and you need to tell someone something in English. Say it in a french accent, NO LIE, it totally works.

Lesson three: WEAR WHAT YOU WANT MAKE STATEMENTS, ITS FRANCE!

a side note: I blended in tell well in Paris, I could tell it was home, I got asked over 10 times where something was BY AMERICANS, ENGLISH, AND FRENCH PEOPLE...lol it was funny, made me feel like I was doing something right....haha!

printemp-ing

(sorry blurry, but look at the pink lights!!! ♥)

There was one place that I absolutely adored about Paris (well there was actually quite a few things. )After arriving, I learned from my London experience to just get out there and try new things. Something about the language barrier was quite freeing so you just go..do. ( I speak enough to get by)

One place I needed to see was the haussman boulevards. It was supposed to have some interesting shops and i studied it to death in art history. We were about four blocks away from our hotel so getting there was a snap. On one of the major end caps of the boulevards was this glorious department store called printempts. I am an old lady at heart and I love a good department store. Finding this one certainly made my day--or dare i say, MY WEEK.

It was such a cute store, better than any department store here. Each brand within the store was like its own boutique. I snatched up this ultra cute Paul and Joe Sister tote made exclusively for printempts, because it encapsulated my love for Japan and France (Paul and Joe are pretty big with sweet street style) and i use it as my work carry all. I dont care if it makes me look like a crazy cat lady!

(enjoying the sweets they hard there, of course!)

Heres what i wore on my printempts shopping adventure, familiar much?

(wiw:: blouse::berhska//high-waisted pants::no brand//espadrilles::target)

If you're ever in the area, i say CHECK IT OUT! Its truly a dream! Plus i was amazed to see clothes from vivi or vogue or the runway ON THE RACK, or maybe I'm just easily impressed. :P

como me duele

this little coordinate had me singing como la flor all afternoon. It feels good to be back home with my family and friends, enjoying this *crap* weather (lawls) Its been nothing but wispy and windy all spring in Chicago. And we've also experienced some non-stop rain (total bummer) but it was a great excuse to go get some ultra spicy vindaloo with dave. (i mean ULTRA SPICY, indian food does NOT play...)

{what i wore} floral shirt/foe la passion (paris) :: "mom jean" shorts/vintage:: thigh highs/h&m :: platforms/jeffrey campbell "copen" :: jewelry/watch & bracelet -gifted from mommie ♥

I have been wearing this watch non-stop. I used to not wear one but my mother surprised it to me before I left for my trip. Especially since I could not use/charge my cell, having a watch has become quite handy. Its also has this sexi-ness to it that I love. I got this chiffon floral shirt at this boutique that was having a blowout, i mean BLOW-OUT sale next door to PRINTEMPS on Haussmann Blvd. Not only did the boutique have ultra sexie male workers (heh...) it had basically all the trend pieces I have been looking for but could not find in the US. This shirt is the perfect match between loose and fitted. I don't do well in oversized clothing (makes me look fat) but a nice mesh between loose and fitted gives it that certain je nais se quoi...ha...plus can i also add i love the fact that its cut asymmetrically?!

It will definitely be my new go to piece this summer. Its easy and breezy and can be worn rolled up and button down. Plus the pearl buttons are a sweet off beat omph that you could only expect from pariee..

(trying out a dramatic cat eye)

I'm sure you're all dying to see pics and such, but in due time! stay tuned loves. and thank you for following me here to my new home ;D

sir save-a-lot

(haha you didn't think i was coming back today DID YOU?....ye of little faith [dont blame ya] ..)

like many of you I'm in the same paddy wagon with trying to $AVE MONEY, and theres many reasons why...

REASON ONE:

kinda DONE with fall/winter fashion, i got all my perks (velvet/oatmeals/bodycon), i DO WANT some Pendleton inspired navajo/aztec prints...

he's a cutie FO SHO...pendleton for OC

BUT i dont NEED a new wardrobe (saving for spring) like jenny im TIRED of having pity clothes. Stuff i held on too because "well remember when i was in my rockabilly/gyaru/vintage/hipster/ironic phase?" or "my ___ bought me that.." or "i saved for that and NEVER wore it" I need to clean it OUT, i want to have pieces I LOVE concise my wardrobe no more FLUFF!! I don't really have anything worth selling, but hey...maaaaybe....well see (like i need ANOTHER project)

but long story short, no more "retail therapy" or buying cause "twas on sale!" i really stopped the sale shopping last year but the retail therapy is an evil bitch....

REASON TWO:

as i stated yesterday I'll be going to NYC for an internship/job/forever...starting in June...so I'll need money to live, rent, food, fun...NY ain't cheap. never said it was...plus pretty sure the shopping there will definitely be sublime...

REASON THREE:

so one christmas gift i forgot to mention was a little something something from my mom...i'll give you a picture clue....

well i hope you guessed it and if not IM GOING TO LONDON PARIS FOR HOLIDAY IN THE SUMMER, some of you may have remember me mentioning this b4, but i thought plans feel through, but they did not! all expense paid, JUST need monies for SHOPPING FOOD ETC, which really means $AVE $AVE $AVE my @$$ off because if i don't i'll regret it :D IM SO EXCITED!!! any tips :D (ive only been to mexico )

--------ANYWAY----------

i realized MORE than shopping, whats really been eating my salary is food....I go out for food almost everyday for lunch or dinner or sometimes both! luckily i have been VERY diligent about packing a lunch and cooking my meals ...aka...less time online. But its been well worth it+ converting to the vegetarian side its been fast to whip up a meal! Im certain ive lost weight, and Its fun to experiment with different meals. I'm saving like 50-100 bucks a week! I'm limiting myself to only spend when necessary (groceries/toiletress/etc)...i did buy two books recently...heh....

and like once a week my friends and I will go to the movies but we usually divide the cost/have movie passes/etc etc that that usually runs me $8 a month...got to have some leniancy in saving or your sure to break...however, we HAVE been getting together making a pizza and watching misfits on the computer...thats like SUPER CHEAP...and fun!

Going for walks also helps with shopping urges, especially to realize you're not missing ANYTHING... I also instead of impluse buy, if i see something i like i wait a few days b4 purchasing..i'll either forget or if I NEED IT by the time i get back it might be on sale....PLUS PLUS i begged my brother (whose an industrial designer) to give me a thermos he made! now i bring tea with me everyday which helps with the starbucks urges! (another 20 bucks a week SAVED)

plus anybody notice that u shop less when its just TOO COLD to leave the house...:D

REASON FOUR:

its always good to save especially when crap happens! or you want to do something FUN, its like aren't you GLAD we did something fun! versus "im broke spent all my cash on a sweater i wore ONCE"

BUT I WONT PRETEND TO BE PERFECT, i did buy some things (i also got lots of giftcards so technically my dad bought some things for me too HAHA!) Just some books to go along with resolutions and this super cool british magazine that focuses on black fashionistas! and a super cool little comic, by a little ole girlie named veronica, support her! GIT IT, REED IT!

I'm super stoked to start that Haruki Murakami book, but I'm currently re-reading works by Ana Castillo! By the By, anybody else love indie bookstores? they are so much sweeter than borders (no offense borders...:/) I want to disappear all mori girl style inside them! hee hee!

+ all images besides coordinates WERE STOLEN from my tumblr, which were obviously stolen from somewhere else...:)