Enjoy Today.//

Such a simple,

yet world shaking two words that have been rocking my world lately. 

We spend most of our life worried about the future,
and miss out on the present.

What if today was your last day of life, and you knew it?
You wouldn't be thinking most of the thoughts that have taken
up your brain space today I bet.

We have such a need to control every little thing,
not realizing most of it is out of our control anyways.

Why not live life enjoying each and everyday?
Anticipating the goodness that lies around every corner,
of every minute,
or every day....

It's my new goal.

Enjoy Today.

peace. love. joy.

Daily Inspo.//

Today's Inspiration:

peace. love. joy.

Take Courage.//

(Sitting in a window at the Amsterdam Castle in the Netherlands)

"I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. 

Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage;

wait for the Lord."

This verse is everything to me right now...

just what my heart needs.

peace. love. joy.

Month: London.//

(via ellesappelle)

I've officially been in London one month.
It's been the most uncomfortable, and yet amazing month.

I was recently listening to a Levo League (amazing community for kick butt women--check it out!!) talk and the mentor for the week was saying how when she moved to a different culture for a job
it was the most uncomfortable thing, but she grew so much during it.
She continued on to urge women to do the same;
leave their 'safe' place and do the uncomfortable thing,
because in the end it will pay off.

I can completely relate to that,
my time here has been filled with much joy, and adventure, and exploration,
but also with the uncomfortable.
But, only through that uncomfortability (is that even a word? hmmm) do I grow.
So, I am thankful.

I pray the next two months are filled with more and more
times of stretching and growing for me.
Both personally, as well as in my career. 

Sometimes, leaving friends and family
and your country
and being transported to a whole new place is
exactly what one needs to get out of their comfort zone
and grow into the person they were created to be.

I am so thankful for this season,
and all it will mean for my future.
I know I will look back on it years from now
with fond memories;
memories filled with finding myself,
and the beginnings of a future career filled with
accomplishment and dreams fulfilled.

If you ever question should I risk and throw myself into a season of stretching:
I say, do it without one bit of hesitation.
You'll be so thrilled you did.

peace. love. joy.

Fall Essentials via Zara.//

Who's ready to do a bit of shopping?

peace. love. joy.

Minimalism.//

via Pinterest

I do believe that I've become a minimalist in my style,

and probably overall sense of aesthetic.

I have always believed firmly in the ability

for fashion to tell the world who we are.

I once heard it said,

that when you are yong fashion is your playground,

but as you get older you have to decide who you are with it.

I really appreciate that statement,

and I believe its true in every sense.

I think when you are young,

you have to embrace it.

Explore different fashions,

try different things out,

have fun,

be explosive and all over the place.

(DON'T settle for mediocre, please...

ahem, all Hollister, and Abercombie lovers ;)

When you are young,

its your chance to simply have fun with fashion,

and dabble in all sorts of styles.

Only through that do you really discover what you like,

and most importantly who you are,

and what style expresses that to the world.

I say all that to say that this past year,

I have spent time experimenting and trying all sorts of fashions and styles.

Only recently have I found one that I believe really expresses who I am.

I love minimalism.

It's creative, yet chic and simple;

which I think pretty much personifies my personality as well.

I like simplicity,

yet creativity,

as well as looking chic.

I guess if this was the world of Gossip Girl

its a little of Blair and a little of Serena,

but not one or the other entirely.

Alas,

what is your signature style?

Who are you?

And, what are you saying with what you wear everyday?

p.s. this could possibly be why I am obsessed with all thing, Olsen.

;)

peace. love. joy.

Museums.//

The crazy thing about museums,

is that no matter where you are in the world,

when you walk in,

you are both transported to an entirely different world

and also

at home

in the same moment.

That is the thing I love about them--

when you walk in

you are both alone,

and not at the same time.

It's a beautiful,

almost mystical

experience.

peace. love. joy.

Delight in Humanity.//

It's crazy how you can be in a city,

surrounded by people...

even forced into moving objects (the tube)

with other humans,

and yet completely pretend that you are alone.

Everyday, I witness mass amount of people crammed together in close

space,

and yet instead of embracing relationship and

the beauty of conversation, the beauty of life;

awkwardly and intently turn to the daily newspaper

or iPod avoiding eye contact at all costs.

And, yes I'll admit I am apart of this crazy culture of life;

the avoiding random human contact one.

But, it doesn't mean I don't question

its relevancy or absolute insanity.

It's stunning to me

that we can be so close in proximity to unknown

people and yet not want to invest some time in getting to know them.

Or, at least a 'hello, how are you doing today?'

Have we really become a culture so absorbed in our own lives,

thoughts, ambitions,

that we no longer can sit back and get to enjoy another's?

I wonder if we went back in time

if we would find a time and place

where people took delight in

the meeting of other human beings;

the enjoying of another

and being enjoyed in response.

Just some thoughts.

peace. love. joy.

Victoria & Albert Museum.

The other day I visited the Victoria & Albert museum 

with the sole purpose of seeing the latest exhibition:

Fashion: Club to Catwalk--Fashion in the 1980's in London.

It was wonderfully inspirational...

getting around fashion and creativity like that

makes me appreciate the art of fashion more and more every time.

I also got to explore the main fashion section of the museum,

and much to my surprise saw some work from one of my instructors and personal

artistic hero, Gladys Perint Palmer-- it was quite exciting!

peace. love. joy.

Rape for Profit.

Rape For Profit - Theatrical Trailer from RapeForProfitFilm on Vimeo.

We need more films like this--

shouting to the ends of the earth that sex trafficking is

very much so prevalent in our world,

and we must do something about it.

Bravo, Jada Pinkett Smith for getting the word out.

You are inspiration.

peace. love. joy.

Oscar de la Renta Film, Bill Clinton Presidential Library.//

Clips like these make me fall in love with fashion all over again....

peace. love. joy.