Current Cravings: Zara

Yesterday, I went to the NC State Fair with my best friend in the whole world, MNR. MNR's French tutor's niece was staying with MNR, so she came along as well! It was so much fun, and it was really fun showing our Frenchie the State Fair, the perfect representation of North Carolina! (Sorry I'm getting into my last Five on..., just to clarify- I'm writing this post first) Anyways, MNR is not only the best person I know, she's one of the most fashionable.

I was really interested to learn about current French trends and culture from our Frenchie, and she was telling me that many brands similar to America are popular: Abercrombie, Hollister, Forever 21, Zara, Longchamp, this one French brand whose name I didn't recognize (MNR knew it and she said it's extremely expensive!), and Nike (which is pronounced Nik there, apparently the American pronunciation for Nike means a vulgar word for sex in French! Fun fact of the day).

Anyways I haven't thought about Zara for a while. I went shopping with my cousin in Texas last year and her favorite shop at the time was Zara. She called it the grown-up version of Forever 21, as it has a variety of styles and trends. We went inside and I fell in love. Unfortunately, there aren't any Zara shops close to me, so I don't usually get the chance to go in and shop. Since we discussed Zara yesterday, I went to their website today and bam, I'm in love today. Excited to go to Texas so I can go in the shop soon, but for now, I will happily oblige to shopping online. I've been craving some new clothing shops, especially since J.Crew slightly raised their prices and that's where 99% of my closet is from. I forgot it's normal to purchase clothes from more than one shop. ;)

Loose fit trousers with elastic waistband

How cute are these pants?! The print is too cute.

Printed shirt

A blouse with elephants?! I'm sold.

Striped blouse with bib

It's the details that matter. Enlarge the image to check out how cute it is! Things you might not see in a photo but in person make a huge difference.

Tie Waist Blouse

Simplicity at its peak.

Top with back tie

Business in the front, party in the back.

Dress with shoulder zip

Makes you take a second glance.

Dress with box pleats in the front

A little pleating never hurt.

Long sleeved cable knit dress

My two favorite things combined.

Dress with embroidered front

WHOA

3/4 Length Dress

Every little detail, to a T.

Dress with puffed sleeves

If I could only wear one dress for the rest of my life, this might be the winner.

Pleated dress

It reminds me of Audrey Hepburn, I don't know why, but that's enough for me to want it.

There are other Zara pieces I'm looking at, but I'll show those in a later post. (You'll understand why when you read it!) What do you think of Zara? I love all of the quirky, unique details that truly set these pieces apart from the rest.

Five on Friday

All I really know is that I am sleep deprived, about to crash on all the sugar I had today, and currently obsessed with Scandal.

I'm very thankful though because I only had one calc test this week (which I still didn't do well on... whoops!), no APES test, but I had an APUSH test and timed essay.

Thankfully, to celebrate all of the APUSH craziness this week, (and to celebrate his weight loss of 18 pounds since the start of the school year), my APUSH teacher, Mr. H gave us cupcakes! I was also very proud of the fact that we had a hard calc problem to do in class today and I figured it out right before he showed the answer! Funny thing, I asked my friend if I was right before he checked it. She said I was, and when I showed it to him, he said no. I exclaimed, it turns out I wrote my answer (from the calculator) wrong on the paper! So silly.

On Wednesday, we had an hour lunch because of the PSAT. My friends and I made our way to Panera, although we left the parking lot late. We were still really rushed since Panera isn't the closest. I got the cheddar broccoli soup and an asiago cheese bagel- so good!

Next week, we have another hour lunch. (Our lunches are typically 42 minutes!) I'm tempted to go to Cook-Out on a much needed lunch date with MS. I'm not sure if we want to go to Cook-Out necessarily (I was considering it at first), but Cook-Out is 20 minutes away (one way there!). I'll talk with MS soon. MS is the sweetest guy; I miss having a class with him!

This weekend, I'm going to an Indian dance event: Diwali. My friend AS is performing the dance she choreographed! It's a big deal, and I'm really excited to be there for her big day!

And here it is... my Five on Friday!

1. Scandal: Amena is actually April and I'm actually Leslie in real life, and other than our shared love of Parks & Recreation; we've been talking about TV shows and everything in between. Amena and I have a lot in common, from our love for journalism, politics, UNC-CH, Parks & Rec, and our hatred of calc. She kept recommending Scandal to me, and it did sound like the perfect show for me from my love for politics, drama and action. I started it and I seriously watched 5 episodes of Scandal in a row. Just now. I'm taking a break because it is so addicting, and I'm watching New Girl to recover from all the drama. Watching a show to recover from a different show? Typical. PS: Olivia Pope's fierceness is #LifeGoals. 

   

   Image via Glamour.com

2. Pinterest: I don't know why but I've recently had a refound love for Pinterest. Pinterest seriously has made me consider a career in fashion. My cousin has a career in the fashion, and I'd love her job! How cool would it be to go to college at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City? I don't know how my parents would feel, but who knows...? I could still major in public relations like I was planning on it. Check out my Pinterest here! 

   

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3. Andy Grammer: Confession: I've been listening to Shake It Off Pandora Radio (It's just so catchy! I always catch myself dancing to it.) While some of the music is very cookie cutter (hey when it's midnight and I'm doing APUSH homework, cookie cutter is what I need! That and white girl rap music), there are a few gems on it: including Andy Grammer. The first Andy Grammer song I ever heard was "Gotta Keep Your Head Up" many years ago; I have loved him ever since. One of my current favorites is below:
4. Old Friends: It's so nice to reunite with old friends, have all the memories flood back, and remember yourself back during that time. Getting to see MS and talk with him on Wednesday made me feel really nolgastic. We were in the same class last semester and all we did was talk (literally everyday! He's the best listener and we always have really deep, interesting conversations. The meaning of life and our purpose in society was questioned many times). We texted all summer, but with the chaos of school, unless people make the effort to talk to me, it's hard for me to text first (I'm usually the one who's texting old friends first, but school this year- AH!). MS is applying to his dream school and I'm so excited for him! He's nervous, but I have a good feeling he'll get in. I'm so excited for him and it's crazy to think that we were talking about all of this last year and now it's happening! Time flies. I'm ready for a long break, (even though my heart is set on DC for Thanksgiving break... My heart is always set on DC, especially during its prettiest time: Fall! Actually that's debatable with Spring because those Japanese cherry blossoms are hard to beat.) to hang out with friends at lunch dates and long drives around town.  Here are some photos from my last trip to DC last Thanksgiving break:
   
   
   
5. Parents: Just because I'm really thankful for my parents' support and for dealing with all my rants, midnight snacking and singing. After thinking about MS going to college, I don't know what I'm going to do without my parents... I seek their advice on everything! Love them so much and so thankful to have them.

Sunday Necessities

Just some of my favorite things to rewind and rejuvenate for the upcoming week: 

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12 Times Leslie Knope Totally Nailed Being a Feminist

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Here's to a relaxing Sunday to get ready for the hustle and bustle of the week ahead!

Back At It

It's weird to be blogging after so long! Sorry guys. I'll be coming back slowly but surely. School has seriously been such a stress, and I actually got sick on Thursday, and I'm pretty sure one of the factors is just stress. I really need to get my grades up, but once I do, I'll be blogging- don't worry! Here's a quick recap of the past couple weeks (Edit: sorry not really quick, it's been a crazy few weeks!)

• (9/27) I volunteered for APES with J, and we got out of mulching! Yay! Mulching was rough that day too, it was a hilly path. We got to garden and make a stepping stone... Yep, we were lucky. It was a lot of fun! I went to a Garba party at SS' house! I had a blast and tried my first samosa. I'm hooked. 

  

  I wanted to wear this skirt so badly for Twin Day with SS! She refused.
  I will find a way to wear this skirt to school sometime.
  It was SS' mom's skirt, and I loved it! So much fun to wear.
  Love SS' family, they're like a second family.
  (I'm on the left and SS is on the right!)

• (9/28) Got up the next morning bright and early to decorate our class hallway for Spirit Week. It looked awesome if I do say so, myself. But in all seriousness, we rocked the hallway and it was the best hallway in the school. ;) 
• The theme was contients and we were Australia. I didn't even get a good picture of the tree, so I'm really sad about that! It was by far the coolest part of the locker bay. It used the pole in the middle and we had 3D branches and vines hangin gwith leaves with everyone's names on them! It looked super cool. There was even a hole with an owl in it. We also had a safari wall with kangaroos, dingoes, koalas, and a safari car; and aboriginal dot art!
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• (9/29) Went to the quarterly work meeting, where we celebrated the museum's birthday! Complete with party games, cupcake decorating, a magician and Moe's, it was a great night. I love my job and my coworkers. (I sound like a broken record about my job. Sorry (not sorry!))
• (9/30-10/3) Spirit Week! So much fun. Monday was Mismatched, Tuesday was Twin, Wednesday was Country, Thursday was Continents (For us, Australia) and Friday was School Spirit Day! 

  

  Mismatched Day with TD and SS!
  I'm wearing: Polo Ralph Lauren buttondown,
  Vestique shorts, REI leggings, J.Crew socks

  

  Country Day with J!
  He had the cutest cowboy hat on.
  I went country club (thinkin' outside the box?).
  I'm wearing: Ralph Lauren sweater, J.Crew shorts,
  Tory Burch sandals

• (10/3) Homecoming tailgate and game! I wish I could post photos from homecoming because they are so cute, but we all got free t-shirts for participating in Spirit Week, and all the t-shirts have our school's name and mascot on them... It was a very fun night! SS, AV, TD, Kai-D and I had a blast! AV also had her crush, G, hang out with us! I knew him because he was a Beta Club member and I was an officer. He's seriously the nicest guy ever and least awkward guy ever. 
• The highlight of the night was homecoming court! A couple with Down Syndrome won Homecoming King and Queen, and they were soo excited! I ran into the HC King after and tweeted a photo of him smiling after they announced HC King and Queen on the Student Council Twitter J and I run.
• It was a really fun night with them! Kai-D and TD left early, and after the 3rd quarter (and losing very badly... Why do we decide to play the best team on HC night?!), AV, SS, G and I decided to go visit J at the ice cream and fudge shop he works at. I had never been yet, and I was planning on visiting J at work sometime soon. G loves the shop and SS was craving ice-cream, so we went and hung out. It all worked out perfectly, because I knew J had wanted to go to the game, but he had work. So I got to talk with J, which made my night. He's seriously my fav person ever! Per his recommendation, I got the salted caramel ice cream. It was reallllly good! Thanks J! 
• We also ran into the Homecoming Queen with her sister, who came up with the idea of having the couple run for HC King/Queen, and they were talking about the King's photo on our Twitter, so I snapped a photo of the Queen! It was so cute. Her sister said "Work it, G!" The girl replied, "I'm always working my sh!t!" She is the sassiest and an awesome dancer! 
• G left and SS, AV, and I sat outside after it closed and just talked. J was closing and we VSCO Cam'd our Instagrams and talked about what a great night it was. It was seriously one of the best nights in a while. So much love for my friends and my school!
• (10/4) I went to Garba at the temple with A! I don't think I'd ever spent that much time getting ready... ever! It was so much fun getting to see her again. It's been too long! We danced for a little while, but it was pretty crowded. We spent most of our time talking because that's what girls do when they haven't seen each other in forever, right?! 
• I also ran into a girl, MN, who recongized me through our mutual friend, JSC. I didn't know MN, and it was so funny! I texted JSC about it, and JSC told me that MN was dating a boy at my school. It turns out she was dating the Student Body Pres, who I know really well because of STUCO! (And he's in my 4th period!) Then the Student Body Pres came in, and I told him what had happened! 
• MN and I bonded over our love for Tory Burch and our love for preppy things. (Sorry Student Body Pres! He had to listen to our Longchamp, Gossip Girl and riding boot talk!)
• Student Body Pres is awesome! He's extremely likable, funny and so nice! J had Spanish 4 with Student Body Pres last year, and has Calc and Microsoft Word with him this year. I have Entrepreneurship with Student Body Pres this year. We also volunteered at the prom he planned last year. J told me that he's doing early admission to Duke... I know Student Body Pres will be a future blue devil! 

  

  Left to right: me and A!
  I wore her outfit from Diwali last year!

  
  

  

  (Left) My STUCO treasurer who I adore, RR and me!

• Don't worry, my next week isn't that exciting. I got sick and had to leave early on Thursday.
• I had lunch with J on Thursday and told him about my headache. J and I aren't in the same calc class, but since I left at the beginning of calc, I texted him that night (since we had a calc quiz the next day!) asking him if he could send me his calc notes.
• Several minutes later, I get a phone call from him. I thought it was about Student Council, since we talk on the phone about 3 times a week about STUCO. No this tall angel called to explain the calc lesson to me. Seriously so blessed to have someone like him in my life. I was in no way expecting this! Love you so much J.
• (10/10) After coming in late to ensure I was better, I took my calc quiz (rough, but it's whatever) and felt pretty good for the rest of the day. When in doubt, juice it out! (And by juice it out, I mean carrot and celery juice. Vegetable broth doesn't hurt either. And lots of sleep! And a hot hot hot shower!) But that night, Kai-D and SS called to see if I could hang. I was debating it because schoooool, but I'm so glad I went! They decided to carve pumpkins, but I wasn't sure if I wanted to carve a pumpkin yet. (We might be doing another round soon though!) But it was so much fun sitting on the back of Kai-D's porch, talking, carving pumpkins and contemplating why pumpkins have guts. 
  

What a long recap! Hope you've had some good weeks. This year is flying by! I'll be back with lots of posts soon! (I hope!) I just need to get through a couple more busy weeks!

Nordstrom Sale

So I was looking for a Longchamp on Nordstrom's website, and I realized that Nordstrom had lots of cute pieces on sale! Most of the items are 20% off, which isn't always the best deal, but many of these items don't go on sale often. (There's a lot, brace yourself!)

Original High Gloss Boot

I have wanted Hunters for so long. Every rainy day, I vow my next purchase will be a pair of Hunters. JSC has a pair and she likes them a lot!

'Grace' Boot

These Tory Burch riding boots are perfect!

'Penny' Boot

I think these Sam Edelmans are the perfect fall boot.

'Kiara' Crystal Back Open Toe Pump

Actually in love with these heels. Every little detail is perfect!

'Gigi' Sandal

One of my fav seniors in my fourth period was rocking these in gold today! Sam Edelman is so cute!

'Melissa Button' Leather Riding Boot 

The ultimate riding boot. ALD has them and they match everything!

'Reva' Ballerina Flat

JSC just got a pair. ALD and I have now decided we need a pair of Revas. The only reason I haven't bought a pair yet is because I have really wide feet and haven't tried them on yet. I'll need to see if I can fit my fat feet in a pair of Revas comfortably.

'Reva' Ballerina Flat

And brown!? You're killing me. Can I get Revas in every color?

Thong Sandal

I know, I know... I vowed not to buy another pair of Jacks after my experience with Jacks. But H has this exact pair of Jacks and they look soo good! But then again, knowing how quickly I tear apart shoes... I don't know. If anyone can actually take care of shoes (more like if you're a normal person!), I'd suggest this pair of Jacks.

'Violet' Patent Leather Thong Sandal

I almost bought these earlier this month. This girl Kendyl in my first period has them and they're so cute! Then again I'd wreck them in a heartbeat.

'Jarrad' Leather Boot

The cutest booties in town! At first I wasn't a huge fan of booties, but they've grown on me. I really like them now!

'Miller' Sandal

I almost bought these last night. But do I really need another pair of Millers? (Yes, yes I do!) If you're considering getting a pair of Tory Burch Miller sandals, I highly recommend them. They're comfortable, durable and so cute! (I know the grass is greener on the other side, but if I could go back, I'd probably get the brown pair over the black. Brown just matches more! That's just me though!) I tried on this gold pair at the store, but then I was set on a plain color (brown/black), but the gold ones are super cute!

'gramercy grand' bracelet watch

Kate Spade always knows the perfect balance between elegance and simplicity.

'grove court - cora' crossbody bag

Kate Spade crossbody, please?

'cobble hill - ellen' leather crossbody bag

THE real MVP.

Michael Kors 'Slim Runway' Bracelet Watch

I'm not that huge of a fan of Michael Kors, but this watch is so simple- I can't resist. (Confession time: I do have a pair of blue pants from MK which are so comfortable and cute. I'm just not crazy about the MK splattered over everything. Those days of Coach C's everywhere are behind us.)

'Elle' Drop Earrings

If you didn't find out about Kendra Scott through Sarah Belle, you're not me. I'd get my ears pierced for the sole reason of wearing these earrings. (Don't know why, I've never really wanted my ears pierced! ALD and JSC make fun of me all the time about it.)

'Original Aviator' 58mm Sunglasses

I've been debating over buying Ray Bans all summer. Maybe I'll make the switch soon!

'Robinson - Mini' Saffiano Leather Crossbody Bag

Stone Frontal Necklace

Kendra Scott necklace, yes please! A little bold, but I love it.

'tiny metro' leather strap watch

Kate Spade: miniature, adorable and practical.

'Classic Wayfarer' 50mm Sunglasses

All black errything.

'Baker' Leather Strap Watch

'Amanda' Crossbody Bag

So in love with this crossbody. Debating between this and a Longchamp. Struggle is so real.

There are a lot more sale items on Nordstrom's website! Check it out! Let me know if you buy anything. I'm thinking about snatching a pair of Sam Edelman boots!