Tuesday, November 19, 2013

P O P / T A R T






You know you have a cute outfit on when even your hard to please guy friend approves. I love this skirt. It is so different from any leather skirts I have seen; it isn't pleated or a circle skirt. The A-line shape is ultra-chic when it is upgraded by a thin panel of mesh just before the hem, exposing a sliver of skin and adding interest. I paired it with this shirt to keep the top half more modest, and I find the color and texture of this shirt to be a polished juxtaposition against black leather. With two standout items, I kept everything simple with a pair of flats and a single gold ring.


J. Crew Shirt ~ Forever 21 Skirt ~ Express Ring ~ Urban Outfitters Flats

Friday, November 1, 2013

Hallow's Eve





My Halloween costume this year! I was a flapper completely of clothes and jewelry lying around the house. I find making or putting together a costume is a lot more fruitful than buying one, but if you are younger, always be a Disney Princess. I think I was Mulan three years in a row, but it wasn't store bought. I always wanted a store bought Ariel costume though. Ariel was my FAVORITE Disney princess. I loved to sing and she was an amazing singer, and I loved to swim and she was a mermaid! Plus I thought she had the best hair even though it was the same shade of ketchup. Any way I hope everyone had a fun Halloween! I just went out to dinner with a friend and stayed home to pass out candy and catch up on TV. Then I went to sleep at ten. It was a glorious night of rest. Thanksgiving is soon, then my birthday, and then Christmas! It is going to be super busy for me this holiday season, but I plan on squeezing in as many holiday activities as possible! Let the festivities begin!

Sunday, October 27, 2013

Great Grains







Guys my mom made these. They are amazing. She should sell them. They are so good.  She didn't even use a recipe really, just made it up! I thought I would share because I have reverted back to a granola phase again. Thanks mom!




Sorry for the lack of well, conversation in the posts lately. School, volunteering, social events that come with this month are all keeping me occupied. Not to mention personal essays..yikes back to work! Better content to come!

Thursday, October 24, 2013

Future





Well don't I look spiffy? This was my outfit to school today because I had an interview with the National Park Service for an internship today. Even though it was during school, I still wanted to put in an extra effort with my outfit so that they knew I was serious and ready to get down to business. Dressing for success is a real thing, people. More about the internship if I actually get it. I am so hopeful because it is something that I really want to do and seems like it would be a really nice experience. From previous posts, like the one titled Driftwood at Dusk back in September, it is obvious that  Environmental Science has really caught my interest. I want to be able to expand upon that through this position because being on the cusp of college, it would be helpful to sort out what I really want to do. English and the sciences have always been grappling for my attention, but writing and literature has usually won out until now. I would ideally love to mesh the two for ultimate intellectual satisfaction. I guess we will just have to wait and see what might be in store for me!

Wilshire Blazer ~ 7 for all Mankind Jeans ~ Report Boots ~ Fossil Tank ~ Forever 21 Tote


Monday, October 21, 2013

Flashback


Sleepy elephant seals



Photographs I took using film  about two or three years ago, back when we took a great road trip up and down the coast to Monterey/ Big Sur and back. I think I prefer film because you really have to choose what you shoot wisely. I do not know much about photography, just kind of did whatever felt right. I would love to take a class and learn more about what I could do. Everything turns out pretty well anyhow. I think as long as you capture light nicely, the only other thing you need is a different perspective. The road is a magical place. I want to take some desert shots with film. Hopefully, the next time we go to Vegas we can stop more along the way. Joshua trees and cacti seem like interesting subjects. Need to break out the ole Canon, it has been too long.

Tuesday, October 15, 2013

Craving






"Makin banana pancakes, pretend like it's the weekend now"


Oh dear. How I wish it was the weekend. So I could have a break, and laze about feeling pathetic about my little old sore throat. It is only Tuesday, and I am all tuckered out. Who else wants to sleep in and have someone make them breakfast? I actually made the pancake above so I guess I will be making myself pancakes. I am afraid there is no time, I have got a solid weekend planned with a long day of volunteering, followed by Halloween Horror Nights, and then partner projects I have to work on for school. Should I be blogging right now? Probably not, school should come first.. but Hamlet is just oh so dull. Don't hate me for that either, you either love or hate Shakespeare. I much prefer his sonnets to his plays, I wonder why? Fingers crossed this throat of mine doesn't give me trouble over the weekend. I am being proactive and staying hydrated, gargling warm water and salt, drinking tea, and taking vitamin C tablets. I will not give in! There's no room for sickness in my life. Try to keep healthy friends, Halloween fun is almost upon us!



Monday, October 14, 2013

Fall Haikus






Fog in the mornings

Sleepily put on my socks

Defrost my windshield

~

Cold toes on cold floors

Cat always wants to snuggle

Forgets his fur coat

~

October is here

Artificial pumpkin scents

Mixed with cinnamon

Sunday, October 13, 2013

Roll Up










These were so easy to make. Again, recipe from my favorite food blog, Smitten Kitchen, they are called rugelach pinwheels. I am also very pleased with myself because I recently saw the same cookies in the display of Corner Bakery Cafe, and I have to say I think mine turned out to be cuter! Hehe hope y'all have been enjoying October. I have been busy busy busy! Going to hopefully squeeze in some outfit shoots, but I am not sure what to do because the ones I had planned were relatively summery, and well the weather is definitely cooler now. We will make it work though. 

Tuesday, October 8, 2013

Sun Drop









Fall is here, and we are nearing the one year anniversary of Coast of Kings. I have changed so much since then. My world has changed so much since then! I think it is a good thing though, I wouldn't want my life to be static. On to the outfit though. I prefer my tank tops to be long just so I don't have to be paranoid about them riding up if I bend over. I ordered this tank online though, and it was a lot longer than expected. So while cute beach cover up came to mind, I also wanted to wear it as a dress. So I layered it over top of my green Asos skirt (Asos is brilliant for bargains on basics) and finished with a belt to tie it all together. Feel free to dress it up with wedges or nice sandals, but for the sake of practicality, I went with Converse for school. Enjoy the last of the fall weather everyone! As for me, I am quite excited to wear jeans again.


Urban Outfitters Tank ~ Asos Skirt ~ Forever 21 Belt ~ Black Lowtop Converse



Monday, September 30, 2013

Processed





Alright everyone. I am documenting my somewhat healthier meal choices before baked goods season opens. I made a meal from scratch Sunday night to treat my parents to a night when they didn't have to pay an exorbitant dinner price or exert effort in making dinner.  I tried to incorporate what we already had in the house ingredients wise, but I ended up needing to buy pine nuts for my linguine (the actual pasta used is spaghetti, linguine just sounds better plus that was what was used in the recipe) with pea pesto. Pine nuts as they turn out are a pretty expensive ingredient, but they came in a nice packet with plenty more to use in the future. I suppose with me having to buy pine nuts, I could have just made a normal pesto, but I had my heart set on the pea version after having something of the same likeness on a crostini many moons ago. The dish was extremely easy to make, and I am quite proud of the fact that I forced my pea averse brother to eat his veggies by offering no escape from a pureed sauce. This post is titled processed because I literally processed the peas to get my sauce but also it isn't processed in the sense that it did not come from a jar. Little victories in the battle with icky food preservatives, people.  Also, it was the first time I had cooked pasta (from a box sadly, I am 16, I do not have time to roll out fresh pasta) by myself, and judging by my success, it shall happen more often in the future. The time spent cooking was so much fun that i completely forgot to document the steps with pictures, but I have substituted it with a picture of the leftovers I had for lunch today. Along the whole no preservatives line, I continue to support my local Pressed Juicery. They make juices and such fresh and add absolutely no preservatives. I drank the leftover half of my vanilla almond milk this morning. Leftovers are so brilliant and so easy. It is like reliving a good meal, who doesn't want that? Anyway, I hope y'all decide to cook at home and to support the locals more often! 

Sunday, September 29, 2013

Drifting





I always say that I just want to drift through life. Like as a swimmer, I love floating and staring at the sky aka drifting. I just want to let life take me like the water does as long as there is promise of a killer view and soundtrack. So with cooler days approaching, the community pool is going to become the Arctic and mellow drives will have to suffice. Drifting is nice in the way it helps you think, and I love thinking. In fact, I am an overthinker. So it is nice in the way it helps me not think and just enjoy as well. I love how the simplest things are the best to help unwind. Just shows that we really have to shed some of our new-fangled (oh dear I hope that is a word, I vaguely recall reading it in historical fiction books, but I hope y'all know what I mean) ideals of activity and just let ourselves be. So please enjoy the dash of a Mini I drove recently superimposed on the road at night, and the back view of a car driving down the PCH. I guess they mean keep an eye on your speed and the view from the back is nice every once in a while. So I will end with the customary conclusion of Youtuber Louis Cole, " Peace out, enjoy life, live the adventure."

Tuesday, September 24, 2013

Cool Cat






I know I said I did not like the excessive use of cat prints that are on clothes right now. However, I was mostly referring to the blown up digital versions of cats that get slapped onto just about everything. I happen to be a cat person though, and it was just natural for me to have a cat shirt. I bought this shirt last year because it simplified the print to a simple scattering of a black silhouette. From a distance, the black and white print can be mistaken for normal polka dots, however, upon closer inspection, cats are distinguished giving insight into my personality. The subtlety of this shirt makes it so extremely versatile, I find myself wearing it with everything. People at school especially liked it when I paired it with this textured cobalt skirt. This outfit was such a no-brainer that the rave reaction took me by surprise. I could have sworn everyone was in on some kind of joke, that was how much praise my ensemble received. Not to brag in anyway of course. I never dress for the compliments; I simply wear what I like. Along the way, a compliment or two keeps me motivated though! ;)


Urban Outfitters Shirt ~ ASOS Skirt ~ J.Crew Suede Flats

COCO LOCO


                                
              


                                

              I am obsessed with coconut. I will take each and every shape and form: milk, juice, meat, ice      cream, even body products! So naturally it was about time that I baked with it. I took the recipe from my go-to food blog, Smitten Kitchen, with some minor adjustments. They have a wonderful lightness and texture, and they are only slightly sweet, making it *seem* perfectly acceptable to devour them all by yourself. Happy Baking!



Sunday, September 22, 2013

Unconventional






Obligatory Selfie



Boy is life getting busy. School is beginning to feel like school again, I recently took the ACT (don't get me started - we are simply not given enough time), the SAT is sneaking up on me, the homecoming dance is soon and I haven't found a suitable dress, and college applications are beginning to open. How will I ever remember to do it all? Plus The Mindy Project and New Girl just came back with Vampire Diaries on its way! Time needs to have a pause button. Statement pieces like this skirt I wore to a friend's eighteenth birthday are absolutely essential when you want to look cute in a time crunch. The ACT was yesterday morning, and I was so pooped when I got home that I forgot about the party until my dad reminded me. So I quickly threw this outfit together and rushed off. I am so glad I bought it back in the summer; I was a bit conflicted because I didn't think I needed another skirt. The sale price however convinced me and I am very pleased with my purchase. Besides the stellar print, I especially love the almost muted combination of teal, orange, and white. It is very unconventional to me, and I think they shall be my new fall colors. Actually quite unconventional because up until this year, I have had a strong aversion to all things orange. I did dip my toes in though with a creamsicle nail polish this summer, it was literally on my toes hehe. Anyway I got numerous compliments on the skirt throughout the night, so mission accomplished. I just hope college apps will be as easy as throwing this outfit together. Wish me luck! If I don't post much in October/November that would be why. So see y'all on the flip side.

Wow did I just say type that. I saw it in someone's tweet an thought it sounded cool. He doesn't even know what it means and neither do I. Oh slang these days.

Shoutout to Jason my brother who thinks blogging is "stupid" which therefore makes me "lame." Or was it the other way around? Oh well, he still took these photos for me so thanks little brother, I guess I'll make it up to you with Taco Bell?


Skirt: Zara ~ Tank: Aerie ~ Wedges: Foreign Exchange

Tuesday, September 17, 2013

Knotts







Throwback to a really casual day at the end of summer. The week before school began I went to meet up with my cousin, Jade, at Knott's Berry Farm. I hadn't seen her all summer after literally being together once a month in the spring! She was there for cheer camp so we decided that it was now or never, so I threw some comfy clothes on and hopped in the car for the one hour and forty minute drive south. I've been missing her so much, but we will see each other again in November for a wedding and Thanksgiving. Maybe she will be in more future blog posts!