Say Yes More Than No

I feel like positivity is everything. It's tiring to be around negative people & I genuinely feel like if you put good vibes out into the world that good things tend to happen. 

I'm feeling awfully adventurous this summer. While I'm a generally outgoing person, I feel like it's very tempting for me to take the backseat on things sometimes. I want to start saying yes more than no more often. I mean, if someone asks me to kill someone then of course the answer will have to be no, but you get the point. Sometimes it's necessary to take risks & have adventures, especially while we're young. Feel comfortable with feeling uncomfortable. I think it's something that we're all going to have to deal with for the rest of time, so we might as well embrace it. 

Love,

A

Details: slip dress: Forever 21 // top: American Apparel //  

sunnies: BCBG // shoes: Deena & Ozzy // 

wallet: Anthropologie // photos: Kali Concepcion

Varisty Blues

I love mixing girly pieces with menswear inspired ones. When I spotted this varsity jacket at H&M, I totally fell in love. It added a little boyish structure to my flouncy, floral dress & sparkly Zara shoes. I was throwing off some major '50s vibes in my favorite cat-eyed sunnies, too.

Today seemed like the longest day ever. I must have written & responded to, like, a million e-mails. I got a paper cut. I was tired, but it's still exactly what I want to be doing though. Not everyday is the most exciting day ever. Some days I just want to lay in bed, listen to music & eat mochi ice cream or just walk around aimlessly, staring up at buildings & taking pictures of everything. But I feel like so many cool things have been happening to me lately because of how positive I feel most of the time. I love being busy. I never thought that I'd be someone to say that out loud, but it's true. I'm fast paced at heart & this place knows just how to keep me on my toes.

Love,

A

 

Details: jacket: H&M // romper: Pacsun //  

sunnies: BCBG // shoes: Zara // 

bag: Gucci // tech: Nikon + iPhone

// photos: Kali Concepcion

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

Looking Forward

The past couple of weeks have been so hectic for J & I. We took our film final last week (J got a 101 & I got a 96, he literally always beats me)& we were itching to have a little downtime before classes start up again in the fall. I turned 21 this past Monday  which was fun but unsettling at the same time because suddenly I have no interest in growing up anymore & it frightens me how quickly time is passing me by. It was really nice to get together with my family & reminisce on old times. My mom was feeling nostalgic & bought me a gorgeous, hand-painted bottle of Perrier-Jouet  because she & my father drank it when I was born. She also bought me the loveliest cake from my favorite cake shop in Tampa, Cakes Plus. Their house specialty cake is absolutely decadent.

I'm only two days in & my 21st year is already shaping up to be the best one yet. I found out that I was accepted to participate in CollegeFashionista's fall internship, which is exciting because I'll be writing about what I love & building my resume at the same time ( J hates when I talk about resume-building). My mom, dad, Jake & I are leaving bright & early tomorrow morning & heading to New York City for the rest of the week. I am so looking forward to traipsing around the city, eating a bunch of delicious food, shopping my little heart out & exploring with my favorite people. J & I totally have a case of the wanderlust bug & we take advantage of any opportunity to travel & explore together. 

One of our favorite things to do together is to go to shows to see bands that we love. We have so many shows planned coming up in the next couple of months. We're seeing Joyce Manor & Glocca Morra in Brooklyn while we're in New York, which is going to be amazing because J & I saw JM together in Orlando earlier this year. We're also going to see The Backstreet Boys later this month (holy childhood dreams come true) & Depeche Mode in September. About a week ago, Jake was feeling all depressed because the Palma Violets // Skaters show that he was looking forward to was cancelled & while he was double checking the venues schedule he casually saw that our favorite band as a couple, The Vaccines, is coming to Orlando at The Social on September FRIDAY THE 13th. The both of us just looked at each other, screamed & immediately ordered tickets. I know it sounds obsessive, but this will be the third time that we have seen them this year, in a third different state. Yeah, okay it's safe to say that we might have a problem...

Today J & I got ourselves mentally prepared for the trip by running some last minute errands & popping into a little hot dog shop around the corner that we have been wanting to try, Twinz Big City Hot Dogs. In classic Aisha style, I managed to get more of the hot dog on myself than I did in my actual mouth & the garlic parmesan fries were absolutely to die for. I can't wait to eat a real New York style hot dog in the city on the steps of the MET. Keep your eyes & ears peeled for a fully-loaded New York trip post when we get home.

Love,

A

Jake // Shirt: Friends United Network // Pants: H&M // Bracelets: J. Crew & Pulsera Project // Shoes: Vans // Sunnies: Ray Ban

Aisha // Tank: PacSun // Skirt: Target // Shoes: Ecote x Urban Outfitters // Sunnies: H&M // Necklace: Helen Latimer // 

Bag: Deena & Ozzy // Watch: Nordstrom

Summer Lust List

Call me old-fashioned or boring, but for me, summer is all about floral prints & bright accent colors. Living in Florida, it has been hammered into my head since I was 5 that black absorbs heat & it's not really an appropriate summer color, but I will always have a love affair with black & I've never been one to follow the rules anyways.

Here's a brief list of some items that I have been obsessed with this summer:

1) This daisy print cut-out TopShop dress ($92) is absolutely to die for. I might be a little biased towards the situation because I've seen it on Alexa Chung & Miranda Kerr, but I would kill to have this gorgeous little frock hanging in my closet. I would probably pair it with a worn in pair of boots or a pair of red flats.

2) When I really want something, I tend to get a little obsessive about it & that is exactly how I've become with these amazing Tom Ford 'Nikita' cat eye sunnies. Every time that J & I are at the mall, I always make him come into the shop so that I can try them on over & over again. My problem is that they are a whopping $360 & that just isn't doable for a college girl like myself, but at least I can still dream about them... 

3) Leandra Medine of The Man Repeller is an everyday inspiration for my personal style & when I spotted this gorgeous Dannijo Helena rosary ($445) in one of her Instagram selfies, I immediately fell head over heels for it. I love chunky, floral inspired jewelry & this piece reminded me of some necklaces that I own from J. Crew. These pieces are brilliant because they make a simple outfit effortlessly classy.

4) Whenever I walk into Urban Outfitters, I have to talk myself out of wanting to buy all of the Kimchi Blue bags that they have in stock. I'm obsessed with their bags because they are well-made for how reasonably priced they are. I adore this specific cross-body satchel ($34) because of its gorgeous gold heart accents & the black (p)leather of course.

5) Last, but certainly not least, J has been trying to get me into sneakers & I know he would adore these sweet kicks just as much as I do. As a die-hard sandals girl, sneakers are an uncharted territory for me. Socks make my feet kind of hot & my toes feel slightly claustrophobic under all of that canvas, but sometimes you just have to give new things a try. I'm crazy about these daisy print Vans because they are mainly black with the addition of my favorite summery print on top. They would look super cute paired with a little sundress & a topknot. And at $55, they fit right into my college girl budget. I just might have to give these a try...& I swear not only because they are the only remotely affordable thing on this list...

What are some pieces that you have been lusting over this season?

Love,

A

Beat the Heat

Now that it's officially summertime in Florida, it's time to start thinking of some interesting ways to avoid losing your cool in a heatstroke-induced rage blackout. Rather than letting the sweltering temperatures & daily thunderstorms cramp your style, check these tips to stay cool in the summer heat:

• Roll your pants - Instead of letting your chinos collect dust in your drawer until the fall, cuff them up above the ankles to let your legs breathe without having to rock a pair of chubbies.
• Get a pair of summer shoes - They're great in the cooler temperatures, but leather desert boots won't get you through July. Invest in a cheap pair of canvas sneakers, like my summertime favorites, Vans or a printed pair from Urban Outfitters.
• Visit your local bookstore - If the rain has got you down, get lost in a new novel or find a new favorite magazine (like Aisha's, i-D). I finally have a break from cramming information from required textbooks, so some pleasure reading of my choice is a luxury these months.
• Find a bucket hat - Braving a summer music festival? My Milkcrate Athletics Tie-Dye bucket hat got me (& the back of my neck) safely through Bonnaroo this month, sans-melanoma. Dunk it in a chilly bucket of water & put it right back on. Trust me, you'll thank me later.
• Get breezy in a chiffon top - Chiffon is the perfect summer fabric because it is super comfy & lightweight. Grab a few in bright whites, pastels, or floral prints & even navy or black.
• Go on a popsicle date - Take yourself back to your childhood & bring your date to Whole Foods for some Fruitfull fruit bar popsicles. These frozen chunks of heaven are loaded with bits of real fruit & can take the edge off of a 90°  afternoon.

Love,

J

Aisha // Blouse: Forever 21 // Shorts: Levi's x Urban Renewal // Shoes: Staccato // Bracelets: J. Crew & Pulsera Project Sunnies: Topshop 

Jake // Shirt: Fourstar // Pants: Levi's // Shoes: Vans // Sunnies: American Apparel