TARTAN LOVE

Happy New Year! I hope you've all had a great holiday season and are amped to make this year even better than the last! I was iffy about sharing my resolutions with the internets because, let's face it, accountability. lol! But one week in, and finally getting the nerve up to share, here goes a basic rundown...
Learn French.Already on this! Planning a family trip to France this year so my goal is to be able to carry on basic conversation. And you know, ask where the bathroom is, order cheese and a baguette, and make a purchase. I've clearly got my priorities in order. I'm using the Duolingo iPhone/iPad app and I can't recommend it enough!
Spend more time outside.Working in an office all day then coming home to work on my blog or catch up on How I Met Your Mother makes it way too easy to stay inside all day. Three easy ways I plan to get some more sunshine and fresh air in my life are 1) eat meals outside--pack a picnic and find a grassy spot to dine al fresco during the lunch hour, 2) get out of the gym--instead, go for hikes, hit the pool, and venture into "sports," lol and 3) take in all that So Cal has to offer--gorgeous mountains, soft sandy beaches, and all the pretty parks a girl could ask for. Being outside makes me happy, and I want to make sure I'm doing everything I can to make myself happy this year!
Wear sunscreen.A lifetime of sunbathing, beach bumming, and crappy sunscreen habits has left me with less than desirable skin, and I need to remedy this ASAP. Currently getting my Aveeno on daily--on top of being SPF50, my face smells like a Hawaiian vacation. Win.
Be mindful of my food.It's easy to buy prepared, packaged food, like that triple-washed, already cut salad, but I want to do what I can to buy local, organic foods, support local businesses, and prepare meals at home. I've always enjoyed cooking (I wanted to own a restaurant when I was little!) but recently, it's fallen to the wayside. Gameplan: buy small quantities, buy often, and buy in season! Already signed up for a CSA share from Tanaka Farms. Super excited! To learn about CSA programs and find one near you, check out Local Harvest. :) 
Prioritize my happiness.It's too easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of never-ending to-do lists and impending deadlines. Maybe it's a selfish resolution, but you can't take your career with you when you depart this earth, so you might as well take a step back from the chaos, smell the proverbial flowers, and relax.
 “It is good to have an end to journey toward; but it is the journey that matters, in the end.” ― Ernest Hemingway






[ :: tartan moto jacket c/o Wet Seal+ :: City Chic top :: Torrid skinny jeans :: ][ :: Bella Vita boots :: Forever 21 bag :: ]
What are some of your resolutions this year? :D Any of you have the same resolutions as me? Would love to keep track of progress with you guys! :)



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IN YOUR SKIN

Every girl needs a swimsuit she feels awesome in and this suit totally does it for me. Does it hide every bulge, make me look 2 sizes smaller, or magically turn me into Beyonce? No. And I really wouldn't care for it to (aside from making me look like Beyonce...that would be pretty insane.). But I absolutely love the bright pink color and snakeskin-esque print, and I can't say enough about the fact that I spent an entire day out in the water and had ZERO wardrobe malfunctions. SO MUCH WIN.

[ :: H&M coverup (past season, but similar here) :: Swim Sexy swimsuit c/o swimsuitsforall :: ]

I get so many comments/emails/messages about how I'm lucky because I have a flat stomach, or skinny legs, and I'm here to tell you, SEE BELOW FOR THE TRUTH. lol! I'm far from flat-stomached, and definitely don't have skinny legs, but that doesn't mean I'm about to hide under something "flattering" and sit on the sidelines at the beach! I'm a water baby and always have been, so if there's snorkeling, swimming, or boarding to be done, you'd better believe I'll be out in the water, not giving a crap how people think I look in my swimsuit.





[ :: H&M coverup (past season--similar here) :: Swim Sexy swimsuit c/o swimsuitsforall :: ]

My favorite Hawaii memories took place while wearing this swimsuit. Big thanks to swimsuitsforall who hooked it up with this gorgeous suit, perfect for a long day of snorkeling and swimming at Hanauma Bay! xoxo!
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Hawaii Photo Diary (instagram edition)

Had such an incredible time in Hawaii. (Is it even possible to have a bad time in Hawaii??) Quick instagram and iPhone photo recap before I share my outfits with you over the next couple weeks. :) xoxo!
**Side note, just noticed that one of the people in the photo above looks like she or he is mooning the beach. lol.


Flying in a Rachel Pally dress was the best decision ever. Also, I could stare at palm trees swaying in the wind all day long.

If you haven't been to Hanauma Bay, go immediately. It's amazing. Seriously.

Because Asians always take pictures of food. See this tumblr for proof.

Waikiki - Obligatory photo of Duke.

I seriously didn't realize what I was getting myself into with this hike. Trudging through 6-inch mud? I wouldn't have brought such a cute bag.

Hiking, Waimea Falls (aka the Drowning Pool, which I totally didn't know until later or i wouldn't have been so eager to hop in! O_O), Swimsuits for All Swim Sexy suit, and the birthday boy! ♥♥♥

At Lanikai Beach halfway through our kayaking trip around Kailua.
Thanks for hosting us and showing us around Michael! Best tour guide ever! ;)

Stay tuned for outfits from the trip and an awesome giveaway from one of my new favorite emerging brands! :) You won't regret it! :)
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fashion do: plus size stripes

Who says plus size girls can't wear stripes?
[ :: Asos striped maxi dress (similar) :: Gap denim moto jacket (similar) :: scarf c/o FRAAS :: ]
[ :: Rebecca Minkoff Ostrich Clutch (on super sale here!) :: two lips wedges :: bracelets from Forever 21 & Taiwan :: ]





[ :: Asos striped maxi dress (similar) :: Gap denim moto jacket (similar) :: scarf c/o FRAAS :: ]
[ :: Rebecca Minkoff Ostrich Clutch (on super sale here!) :: two lips wedges :: bracelets from Forever 21 & Taiwan :: ]

So tired of hearing the same plus size fashion don'ts cycled around everywhere. STRIPES ARE OKAY, YA'LL. Better than okay. They're awesome. Necessary. Essential. I'm obsessed, and frankly, sick of people saying plus size girls can't wear them.

I still remember being majorly bummed out as a kid when I was out shopping during a family trip in Taiwan (where everyone is tiny), and I was wearing one of my favorite striped shirts. Out of nowhere, my mom walked up from behind and told me I really shouldn't wear striped shirts anymore because I looked fat. The rest of that day I was so self-conscious I couldn't even focus on shopping. True story. Amazing mainly because I can't remember the last time something distracted me from shopping. Anyway, I wish I'd known then what I know now, because let's set this straight--I am plus size. I will be plus in a black dress, and I will be plus in a striped one. No amount of spanx, "slimming" colors, or fat-smushing-torture devices will change that.

Moral of this story? WEAR STRIPES. because they're awesome. and so are you.

wanderlust: Vegas edition

Every year around this time I get really antsy to travel. The weather is starting to warm up, I haven't traveled in a while, and I'm ready for a break! I already booked a trip to Hawaii for my boyfriend's birthday, I'm headed to Amsterdam and Budapest in June, but I still want to hit Vegas before it gets too hot (it's already around the 80's!). Living in So Cal, a weekend trip to Vegas is one of the easiest weekend trips ever. It's a relatively easy drive, but it still feels like a complete departure from everyday life. I love it!

When I have a vacation planned, I tend get all one-track-mind with my purchases. I'm trying to be good and not buy too much in preparation for my trips, so I'm putting myself on a window-shopping-only-as-much-as-possible kind of budget. Does that make any sense? haha Anyway, I thought I'd share a few items I've been eyeing for a Vegas trip while I mentally pack my bags! :)

My go-to daytime look anytime I'm in the desert: breezy top, comfy jeans, a crossbody bag, and awesome accessories. Sunglasses and sunscreen are essential!
[ :: Dorothy Perkins top :: Gap boyfriend jeans :: Victoria Beckham sunglasses :: ]
[ :: Asos necklace :: La Roche Posay Anthelios :: Rebecca Minkoff bag :: Vail cuff :: ]

More after the jump! :)

 Lots of people think Vegas is just for partying and gambling, and while those are probably what most people go for, there's a ton more to do! I L-O-V-E the shopping. There's a HUGE Forever 21+ section at Fashion Show Mall, an even huger H&M at Caesar's Palace, and enough luxury brands to make me wish I had a sugar daddy. (I kid, I kid. but really.)

There are also some amazing food places ranging from a huge $10 breakfast from Hash-House-a-Go-Go to a $350 16-course tasting menu at Joël Robuchon. As a self proclaimed foodie, I've tried a ton of different places, but my favorites that I always hit up are probably Hubert Keller's Burger Bar, Mon Ami Gabi, and Thomas Keller's Bouchon. Insanely good.

I also always make time to get my music fix in Las Vegas. There are tons of big concerts (Uh, Beyonce at the MGM? Two tickets please.), smaller club shows (we saw Travie McCoy last time!), and small jazz clubs or piano bars. There's something for everyone. Can't wait to go back! If concerts aren't your scene, just walking the strip is awesome. Seeing all the bright lights, watching the Bellagio fountain show, and standing next to the faux Eiffel Tower never get old for me!

P.S. I would post a nighttime look, but in Vegas, all you need are the highest heels you can find, the shortest, tightest dress in your closet, and something obscenely sparkly. Woohoo! lol. :P

Italy Photo Diary

Hey guys! Just got back from vacationing in Italy, Turkey, and Greece! Being as scatterbrained as I am, I forgot to schedule my posts before I left, so real outfit posts will be coming soon, promise! >_< In the meantime, I thought I'd share a few photos from my trip. Our first stop was Italy, which was INCREDIBLE. We didn't stay nearly long enough! Since we only had a few days, we crammed in as many must-see places as possible. Hope you enjoy! :)
|| Click through for photos :) ||





[ :: St Peter's Basilica in Vatican City :: ]
So gorgeous! I could spend hours in there. Also went to the Sistine Chapel (!!). So amazing to see all the things I've only read about in books!


[ :: Spanish Steps, Rome :: ]

[ :: Trevi Fountain, Rome :: ]
Caeser's Palace didn't do this landmark justice. lol.


[ :: Pompeii, Italy :: ]
One of the eeriest places I've been. We got here super early and there was hardly anyone around!




[ :: Capri, Italy :: ]
My favorite stop in Italy! So beautiful. Can I retire here? I'll sleep outside Miu Miu if I have to.

mini vegas photo diary

Vegas, land of excess.



Little shadow man...aka boyfriend.

Practicing my fainting skills on this awesome couch.



Pie face.

The Signature at MGM Grand.

This was so good. [at Bouchon by Thomas Keller]

Don't try to wake me up before 11 when I'm on vacation.