Lala's Style of the Day

• black bag dress: Kohls $8
• Target grey tights $1.50
• Olive tight socks: 1 euro. I bought these tights at a euro shop in berlin... I didn't realize they were kids sizes until I realized the crotch of the tights could only get up to my knees. Oh well. They make for some nice socks though!
• Felt flower clip: 2 euro. I love these felt trinkets. I have bought soooo many since I came here. Felt whore I am.
• Jacket: 1 dollar @ buffalo exchange

The most "inspiring" outfit I had in a while which is not saying much. Must study! Toodles my poodles.

It's nearing the end of a beginning...

It's 10:44 PM. My head is dry and itchy because I haven't showered in two days. Gross, I know. My fingers are cracking due to the dry weather and my sheer lack of motivation to put on some lotion. Gross again, I know. My book on The Wealth and Poverty of Nations is waiting to be read and filled up with redundant post-it notes.

I can't study. I can't concentrate. All I can do right now at this moment in time is blog about my sudden realization that my 4 month experience in this new and completely different environment is coming to a close. But it is one of those feelings that leaves you with a contradictory state of sadness and inspiration. If my feeling were translated to a facial expression: my lips would be curled in a slight smile and my eyes staring off into a space of memories and experiences.

So right now, instead of doing the massive amounts of studying that I should be doing, I am typing out what I should have written down in a diary or whatnot. I wasn't going to do a post about my studying abroad experience until the very end when I actually got back home but right now I'm in the mood for a little self-reflection. I know it must be a major disappointment that my once in a month post ends up being non-fashion related but I must say that fashion can take a ride in the backseat when it comes to selfish self reflection posts. Bear with me?

Many times it doesn't feel like I am in a different continent at all. Sure the languages, the weather and the lack of the oh so Californian flip flop and hoodie combo remind myself that I am not where I belong, but for some weird reason, I feel like I belong. I have surprised myself at how easily I was able to open up, to befriend friends that seem like such a different crowd from my lovely buddies back at home, to not feel the slightest bit home-sick, to actually socialize and move past my anti-social angst. Have I changed? Or have I been like this all along but I was not able to realize it?

Being here and being independent for the first time has made me realize how much I want to accomplish for myself. These past months have really been a self discovery as cliche as it may sound. I felt like I have been living in a white cube for a long time and now I've finally have the guts to open this box I've created and see the rainbow world outside. And you know me. I love rainbow.

As sad as I am to leave in 27 days, in a way I am happy to go back as wiser girl/woman. I am happy to go back and be able to make chicken noodle soup without having to open a Campbell's can. I am happy to see my friends and share my stories. I am happy to go back and live in rainbow.

It's only the beginning for me.

*end of random rant. Must shower now, itchy, dandruff filled heads cannot wait.*

Stressing Out.

Oh. Man. Am I stressing out.

Lala's Style of the Day: It's just so hard to stay away

• Zara Black Dress (worn backwards because it would have cut off my arm fat circulation if I had worn it regularly): 2.50 flea market.
• Scarf: Mom
• Tights: 99 cent store and leggings underneath
• Flats: $4 thrift store
• Belt: Free from friend's mom
• Jacket: $6 target
• Flower power bracelet: 1 euro barcelona flea market
  

So I thought I would be too busy/lazy to update my wee lil blog but somehow I found myself acting out my vain instincts again this morning as my self timer went off and did the 10 continuous shots. The weather was sunny but cold. What an odd combination.

Not too much excitement in my outfit but I actually tried today. I think coming back from Paris yesterday made me want to dress nice. Paris has got to be my favorite city so far.

Must think of a new collection for next year. Fashion lovin has not left me one bit.

I know I rarely update with anything awesome, anything slightly intelligent, or anything other than rather uninspiring (to me anyways) outfits, but thanks to all those that keep reading. You are loved by the one and only Lala.

Peace out fools.

Hm.

My mom says I got fat.

wonderful.

I think my blog is dying.

For now that is.

We'll see when I get back to reality in two months.

Until then, see you in dreamland.

Sometimes...

you just got to stop, soak it in, and just smile.

Lala's Style of the Day: The Wonders of my Flea market finds

• White sweater top: 1 euro, flea market
• Leopard print scarf: 1 euro, flea market
• Cap with little pom poms: 3 euro, flea market
• Skirt, tights and shoes

I feel my cheeks and chins getting pudgier. I guess this is what happens when you eat pizza and pasta practically every day.

I've got the traveling bug.

Once you start, you just can't stop.

See you in Vienna folks.

Goals are Sometimes Hard to Keep

1. I promise I will study.
2. I promise I will not go out so that I can study.
3. I promise I will not go out and stay up way late so I can study.
4. I promise I will stay up way late so I can study.
5. I promise I will not get distracted by my laptop so that I can study.

Man. I need to study.

Barcelona = bliss.

Lala's Style of the Day

• Trapeze t-shirt: 12.90 euro, Zara. Fell in love with the sketch when I walked into Zara. Fancy I know. A great departure from my usual flea market shopping habits.
• Skirt: mom
• Tights, shoes

I got back from a weekend in Rome and Florence last night. It was amazing. Amazing is not even good enough to describe it. Barcelona in three days. I am willing myself to study. I am forcing myself. I told myself I cannot sleep until I have finished reading my notes and doing sample problems. What the heck am I doing blogging?

Today in my fashion class the creative director of ZZegna came to talk to us. It was quite lovely. It totally made me want to jump up and start my catwalk walk. His ending speech was quite inspirational in a subtle motivational speaker cheesiness that I fully appreciated. He said three things, "Keep going, passion, and use your stomach not your mind."

Then I just had a conversation with a friend who was telling me about starting her own jewelery line for reals.

My dreams are re-awakened again.

I am the Dreamer.

What happens to your dreams when you realize they're just dreams?

Lala's Style of the Day

• T-shirt: $1 alternative apparel, buffalo exchange sale
• Tiered skirt: $7 loehmanns
• Tights
• Shoes: Thrift
• Belt: $1 buffalo exchange sale.

I am in a very happy mood right now. I wish all people out there reading right now much much happiness.

Today I "fancied" up for my mom. She and my auntie came to visit me! They took a detour from their Europe tour. I went to the flea market with the roomie and bought things that were not on my list of things I am allowed to buy which makes me very disappointed in myself. I already went to the flea market yesterday and once again came back with unnecessary things. Tomorrow I'm taking my mom and auntie to one. Thats like three flea markets in a weekend. Not bad. Not bad.

I ate the most amazing dinner tonight. It's nice not a be a poor college student for a night. Booked a flight for Paris. Life is divine. I'm already dreading the day I have to leave.

P.S That weird stuffed animal pirate in the background is actually...wait for it....

a bag! It's awesome. It's only one euro. A person like me cannot resist.

Lala's Style of the Day

• T-Shirt: Target $3
• Green silk Skirt: 2 euro flea market
• Black tights
• Shoes thrifted
• Scarf belt
• Necklaces
• Jacket and messenger bag: Target.
• Venetian Mask: I did the tourist thing and bought a tourist good. Love it though. 10 euro.

I've been here for almost a month. At some points it feels like so much longer. It feels like my friends here, I've been friends with for a long time. Other times, it amazes me how quickly everything went. It seems like just yesterday I didn't know what the heck I was getting myself into and packing for a foreign place. Now that I'm here, I'm just going to try to enjoy everything I can because that is a way to live. Enjoy everything while trying to cut down on the costs.

I feel a bit cool studying economics at the moment seeing as how the economy is basically going down the hill in many places. If only I cared about economics as much as fashion, I would be doing more reading than updating my blog.

Must do some reading now. It's so hard to take studying seriously while here because all I can think about is traveling and having fun. Must focus. Must focus. Will focus.

Lala's Style of Yesterday: A DIY Junkie Never Dies

• Dress of pure glory: A skirt that was blessed with my magical hands and turned into a magnificent dress.
• Skinny brown St. John Belt
• Leopard flats: $3 Target. Oh Target, how I miss you dearly.
• Gold mini coat: $6 Target

As the wise say, "You can take a girl out of the DIY, but you can't take the DIY out of the girl."

Being so far away from home has not as much made me homesick as it has made me craving a midnight rendezvous with Mr. Sewing Machine. I found this amazing long skirt at the flea market I went to last weekend. When I saw it, I thought "Oh. Weird." and then that ultimately turned into I had to have it moment although it was a hefty 5 euro. Thankfully, my roomie did the yeah-it's-super-cool-you-should-buy-it- or-else you'll-regret-it guilt trip on me and it totally worked.

Flash forward to Wednesday night or shall I saw Thursday morning. I brought one of those mini sewing kits from hotels with me so all I needed was the time to actually hand sew this piece around. Buying a pack of colorful thread from a dollar store gave me even more motivation to actually do the DIY. So I stayed up till 5 in the morning doing it. Granted, I didn't start until like 2 AM and was distracted with awesomeness that is the Heroes Season 3 Premiere. The DIY was super simple and hand sewing got the job done. I can wear the dress long or pull up the straps and create a bubbled mini or a tunic. I basically just took the snap up and made it into a one strap creation by cutting some extra fabric from the bottom pulls.

I feel uber successful that I was able to make something while abroad with limited resources. Life is good. Except the large amount of reading I have to do and am terribly behind on. But for now, I should go do some lack packing for a weekend trip to Venice tomorrow!

Ciao belle.

Lala's Style of the Day

• Grey V-Neck t-shirt: $3 Target
• Proenza Schouler for Target skirt: $7
• Brown tights: 99 cent store
• Booties: $4 local thrift
• Blue scarf: auntie
• AWESOME NECKLACE: 7.50 euro from cinque terre.
• Jacket not shown was from Target

So today in fashion class we learned about American Brands pyramid. I saw my good ole Target on the very bottom of the totem pole. My whole outfit was basically Target does this mean I'm on the bottom in life?

Such philosophical questions hurt my fragile mind. I was suppose to start reading and doing homework tonight but since I was too much of a procrascinator that I didn't even get my books yet means that studying will be put off for tomorrow?

Things that make me smile.

Being an overtly optimistic gal, I believe it is important to take some time out of our day and remember things that make you smile. Because as we all know, smiling uses less muscles than frowning.

♥ Going a bit overboard at the Saturday Flea Market. I have found a replacement for my thrifting needs.

♥ My new found friends.

♥ Going crazy at a soccer or football game. I would like to find my own soccer player someday. Big dreamer am I.

♥ Realizing it's been only 3 weeks in Italy and not knowing whether it feels like a lot longer or if time is passing by too fast.

♥ Nice long showers after two days of dirtiness.

♥ Fat things, as usual.

♥ Having class tomorrow but still going on a day trip to Verona.

♥ Life