The Final Countdown

I feel like I've been running around like a crazy person for the past couple of weeks, working on projects, trying to have a life and getting ready for New York. It really hit me today that I am graduating from college in two weeks & moving to NYC only a few weeks later. The thought of that is honestly mind-blowing. How has it already been four years since I graduated from high school? How am I not still 17? I feel ready but not ready, excited, nervous, terrified, happy & sad all at once. Growing up is scary, people.

This might be a little bit ambitious, but my goal is to not have to come back to Tampa. I mean, I love it here, so much actually. It's been my home for most of my life, but I'm ready for something bigger. I want to be immersed in a new city that I love. I want to learn it & hate it & adore it. I want to struggle a little bit. I want to push myself & figure out what my limits are. I'm so thankful for my family & all of the other people who are giving me the chance to get on my feet. Their faith in me is everything. 

I can't wait to document all of my NYC adventures on Stellar Piece. I just want to meet everyone, eat everything & go everywhere. Here's hoping that I make it through the next two weeks to graduation. Here's to the future. Here's to the adventure of it all. Here's to life.

Love,

A

Details: Top: Cotton On // Skirt: H&M // Jacket: Levi's // 

Boots: Aldo // Necklace: Leviticus

Puppy Party

I'm only a couple days into spring break & I can honestly say that this has been the nicest week ever so far. I've been enjoying the gorgeous weather, getting school stuff squared away, researching more plans for New York, making playlists & catching up with friends. Who knew that this "alone time" that everyone is always talking about could actually be fun?

The other day, CollegeFashionista sent out an email about a feature highlighting Style Gurus & their pets. My fellow Head Style Guru and blogger pal, Olivia Muenter of Wanderlust & Such has been in town for spring break. So, she grabbed her puppy Ray, I brought Bentley & we had a pretty cute puppy photo shoot in Westchase. Bentley is always having his photo taken so he was pretty into it (except in the last one, not sure what's going on there, B). But for being a beginner, Ray was a natural. I mean honestly though, look at the two of them. Have you ever seen a more handsome pair?

It's so nice to just be able to relax, visit with Olivia & chat about things we love: blogging, fashion & of course, our pups.

Love,

A

A's Details: Dress: Forever 21 // Hat: Forever 21 //  Boots: Aldo

O's Details: Top: Ann Taylor Loft // Skirt: Top Shop // Watch: Marc by Marc Jacobs // Boots: ASOS

3.0

When I first started Stellar Piece back in September of 2012, I had just transferred to USF & I was a single gal simply looking for a hobby. It grew into much more when I got into a relationship, it became a shared hobby & a scrapbook of all the memories that I wanted to save. Now it's just me again & I want to continue documenting the trials and tribulations that come along with being 21 & trying to find yourself in this crazy world. 

As tempting as it's been to wallow lately, I decided that I'm just going to stay busy & continue living my life to the fullest instead. Stellar Piece has been a huge part of my life for a while now & I am not about to just let that go. Since I recently got my very own Nikon, I decided that it would be silly to not continue documenting all of my adventures here, especially because I have so many exciting events coming up in my life. I'm graduating from college in May (holy crap), moving to NYC for the summer while I intern with CollegeFashionista (what? insane) & along the way I'll be trying to figure out what I want to do for the rest of my life (let's not talk about that right now). All I know is that the future is bright and I want to keep writing, taking photos & sharing all of my ups and downs right here.

So for all of you who want to stick around with me & SP, we'd love to have you.

Love,

A

Details: Sweater: Urban Outfitters // Pants: Urban Outfitters // Necklace: H&M // Boots: somewhere in Hong Kong

NO WAVES x STELLAR PIECE

Over this summer, I started up my own little DIY punk / skateboarding culture radio show, NO WAVES RADIO, through the University of South Florida's college radio station. It's basically the talk/music form of my brain. I remember being so nervous before my first show back in July, & if it weren't for A I doubt I ever would've built up the courage to go through with it. 

Through it all, she's been one of my primary creative inspirations for the show. Watching her grow & excel in her creative advertising classes juices me to do the best that I can every day in my own right. 

That aside, I was more than stoked to have A as my very special guest for a pre-Valentine's Day NO WAVES RADIO show. The playlist, content, & cheesiness was almost exclusively curated by Aisha herself. We had such a fun time chatting about our favorite Stellar Piece adventures, shows we've been to, quizzing ourselves on how well we know each other, as well as spinning some of our mutually-favorite tunes. Listen above & enjoy!

PS - feel free to check out my other blog, NOWAVESRADIO.WORDPRESS.COM to check out previous shows I've done, & also to check out some show photos & opinion pieces I have up there.

Thanks for being my little starlet, A. I love our cute banter on this episode. You're adorable.

Love,

J

Take a Walk

There comes a point in your life when you realize that someone means so much more than you than you had initially anticipated. You start wanting to do really weird things, like come over to just to help clean their house, or showing up unannounced with a pillow pet & a box of Milk Duds. You start wanting to share everything with this person: meals, thoughts, conversation, & even your past experiences & memories. 

Last weekend, A took me on a trip to South Tampa, where we visited her old stomping grounds & retraced the places where she formed precious childhood memories. We drove past her old high school, walked up to the front door of her mom's old condo, & took a walk on the Ballast Point Park Pier, where she used to spend many-a-summer-day playing with her mom & brother Ashton. It was beautiful to visit the places she used to spend her time at long before she even met me & listen to her recount some of her most treasured memories.

Aside from being a lovely day in the sun with an incredible view of the downtown Tampa skyline, I really enjoyed seeing all the places where A blossomed into the pretty little flower she is today. It feels good to have reached such a wonderful place in someone's life.

Take a walk down memory lane with your loved one as soon as you can, it's as fun an experience as it is beautiful.

Love,

J   

Aisha // Dress: Target // Shoes: Deena & Ozzy // Sunnies: Urban Outfitters 

Jake // Jacket: Levi's // Shirt: Brixton // Pants: Levi's // Bracelets: J. Crew & Pulsera Project // Shoes: Vans // Sunnies: Ray Ban

Day Dates

 Ah, the day date. No wine, no shower (Thanks, Seinfeld). But more importantly, a cute reason to dress up & take your partner in sex out (Thanks, Man Repeller). For a couple that spends a little more than most of our time together, day dates are a step above a usual hang out & an adorable way to show affection. Summertime is upon us and in between summer classes, Aisha & I like to break away from our studies & spend some time in the sunshine. For an afternoon date, we like to visit local museums, watch a classic movie in an old theater, or bike to lunch & coffee. No pressure on finding the trendiest or most romantic dinner spot, no need to suit up or wear a tie, just laid-back adventures, and that's just the way we like it. Also, it's always a plus to have someone to take photos with.

Love,

J

Here's what we wore on our most recent day date to CDB's Pizza in Tampa:

Jake // Shirt: J. Crew // Pants: Levi's // Shoes: Vans // Bracelet: Pulsera Project // Sunnies: Ray Ban 

Aisha // Shawl Cardigan: American Apparel // Cropped Tank: Cotton On // Pants: Citizens of Humanity  // Shoes: Minnetonka // Bracelet: Pulsera Project // Sunnies: Urban Outfitters // Bag: Urban Outfitters // iPhone case: J. Crew