black in business just for Christmas

Photo Credits: Christopher Canon

CHRIS FOTOG

( Double Gold Chain & Bracelet - Bella Vi Boutique // Sheer & leather long sleeve - Forever 21 // NORA leather pencil skirt - Shuku Newyork // Ankle strap heels - Fashion City Boutique )

Today marks the date of a highly anticipated holiday for everyone year round. Yet, this year, it has a whole new definition for me. Back around the beginning of this year, I booked tickets with my loved one to travel back to the Motherland. Asia, a country of so many family stories and moral lessons that have provoked my imagination yet never had any clarity of vision to me. Now, for the first time in my life, I have made the opportunity of visiting my homeland possible and cannot contain my mixed emotions of excitement, anxiety, nervousness, and utmost curiosity!

Seeing how my flight is just a mere few hours away, I will be flying out tonight in hopes of safe travels, cultural enlightenment, enriched adventures, and who knows what else Asia has to offer us! Did I mention that the first thing I'm anticipating is the chance to ride ostriches?! I've never even rode a horse, which I've been dying to do, and yet I'm jumping the gun and going straight for those ferocious feathered birds. Pray for me for my spontaneity may get the best of me.

Other than that, I'd love to wish you all a

VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS! 

VIETNAM is my business, the business.

ASIA, I'm coming for ya!

lilac dreams

Photo Credits: Andrew P. Photography

Reality boils down to collective perspectives. If you believe something to be true, it will be. It's really amazing what the body is capable of when aligned with the power of your mind. 

Strong will.

Mind over matter.

The only thing that really matters in the end is your perspective on how to live your own life. If your gut feelings tell you to pursue something out of burning desire, then run down that path with all your might. Do what makes you happy. Chase after what you feel will grant you all you want in the future. 

Dream.

Chase those dreams and live your dreams. 

Never stop believing. 

Dreams do come true if you do you.

the greatest

Photo Credits: Brian Bustos 

{ "GREATEST" cap - The Life Apparel // Grey Estelle bracelet - Shop Jami // Black studded shorts - LexMila }

A thing or two about being the greatest..

Regardless of what field of work you're in or what kind of life involvements you're entitled to, you should always put in as much effort as possible. Never sign up for something you can't handle completely without losing your sanity. Don't knowingly set yourself up for disaster unless you truly feel as though you can overcome whatever gets thrown at you in a calm manner. Dedicate yourself... Dedicate yourself, passionately. Whatever you do, do it in a way you'd like to be remembered by. It's all really a matter of mentality. If you learn to genuinely enjoy a lot of tasks in life, you'd be able to not only live a happier life but make life more enjoyable for those around you. If you keep your head strong and chin up, I believe that you truly can overcome anything. In order to be the greatest, you have to get your mindset in its greatest shape possible. 

THE LIFE APPAREL

Photo Credits: Thierry Brouard

J & T Photo Paris

Finally got a chance to work on this post that I've been meaning to do weeks ago. Things have been pretty hectic on my end with my ankle injury and preparation for my much anticipated trip to the motherland in December, which now feels like it's right around the corner! Anyway, a little while back, I got the sweet opportunity of working with The Life Apparel, a LA based street clothing store founded by the one and only, Krayzie Bone of Bone Thugs N' Harmony. The week we worked on the shoot happened to also be the release week of Chamilionaire's new package REIGNFALL DELUXE as seen here. To top it off, my girl, Charlot and I got to cooperate with Thierry Brouard, a photographer who was in town from France! Thierry was such a character to work with and has a portfolio of work from all around the world. Not only were the store attendants super chill and helpful with the shoot, they were genuinely style enthusiasts with a knack for pretty dope attire. 

If you haven't already checked out The Life Apparel for all your street wear needs, be sure to do so on Santee St!

THE LIFE APPAREL

1121 Santee St.

Los Angeles, CA 90015

breaking focus

Photo Credits: Christopher Canon 

CHRISFOTOG

{ "Bailey" Raw denim - A.N.D. Jeans // Sunflower printed Jersey style T - Ebay // White strapped heels - Tildon from TOPSHOP at Nordstrom // Gold chain choker - Ebay }

On a daily basis, everyone is focused on something whether it's a hobby or pursuit of their dreams.   Too often we let this focus become stress. We forget how beautiful life can be and need to be reminded to simply relax. Everyone wants to "live happily ever after", but not too many actually know how to get there. In effort of providing my readers with a spark of inspiration that'll hopefully get you one step closer toward happiness, I'd like to emphasize three very useful R's:

Rethink, Relieve, and Relive...

Respectively. 

Regardless of what kind of situation you face when stressed, you need to rethink or reevaluate everything that has lead up to your problem(s) in order to prevent de ja vu. Such reevaluations will relieve you of repetitive stressors, allowing you to relive your life. Think of every day as a new beginning, another chance at a better you. Why else would the present be termed a gift?

Speaking of relief, I received this pair of denim with courtesy from A.N.D. JEANS and was taken back at how comfortable the quality was. A.N.D. Jeans has taken the initiative of reinventing the feel and fit of raw denim. I am typically one to avoid jeans because of the unpleasant comfort factor. However, with this "Bailey" pair fitting like a glove, I felt good enough to break focus and get a tad eccentric. 

making the cut

Photo Credits: Paul Nguyen 

FABLE PORTRAITS

If you haven't liked Paul's work on facebook already, be sure to click the link above and do so! His service and work will leave you smiling. 

{Camel TROUVE leather jacket - Nordstrom // Cut out dress - local boutique // Cat eye sunglasses - Dee Lux // Gold body chain - Ebay // Laced up "ROMY" heels - Shoe Mint}

With every complicated phase of life, there is a good lessen to learn and better yourself from. Every failure should serve as motivation to push you forward toward your next accomplishment. You only truly fail when you effortlessly give up and prolong "nothingness" - for lack of better wording. 

Strive. Push. Persist.

Just as you naturally breathe to live, you should make it a habit to keep moving forward instead of dwelling. When you don't make the cut for one criteria, that just means that fate has something better in store for you. Seek light during the darkest times of life, and, while doing so, enjoy the chaos. 

Appreciate what life has granted you: challenges and all. 

If you feel that life hasn't given you much, take action and create a future for yourself.

Grant yourself a better life. Create your own cuts.

Work for what you want, and work as hard as you want it. 

Seek equivalence.