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.

Vintage Souls

Photo Credits: Christopher Canon

CHRISFOTOG

(Slave chain arm band - Papers & Peonies // Wide rimmed hat - Ebay // Top - local boutique // Skater skirt - Ebay)

The other day, while cruising along the reckless roads of Los Angeles, I spotted a random sign that boldly stated:

"Be happy with nothing, and you'll be happy with everything."

It was so short and simple that the phrase came off rather sweetly interpreted in my head as I stalled in a bit of traffic. It made me realize that ultimately Happiness is a choice. Many people can take this quote literally and define "nothing" as being broke or homeless.. But then, I chose not to see it that way because someone can have a plethora of riches and still feel as though they have nothing. Ultimately, happiness is a state of mind, a choice. A person with all the money in the world but nothing materialistic to show for it can be just as happy or even happier than someone who goes broke from being materialistic but is happy with all that he's got. I had a conversation the other day with a friend who told me about how some people in the world have strived to and succeeded at making so much money solely for the purpose of giving it all back to society. When interviewed, they were genuinely happy with their successes, their choices. See now, I'm sure those people lived happily ever after, literally. 

Regardless of what you have at this point of life, if you choose to be happy with yourself and embrace inner peace, you'll inevitably be happy with so much more down the line. It all boils down to your choices. Make choices that work toward your desired lifestyle and be happy with your decisions. If you are currently broke, for lack of more optimistic words, you still have the option to do something about it. Don't just dwell. Do something about it. Happiness is the challenge of finding balance between your actions and reactions. Ensure that your train of thoughts parallel your actions and live guilt free. 

summer TEEs

Photo Credits: Christopher Canon

CHRISFOTOG

{Cateye sunnies - Dee Lux // Chained arm band - Papers & Peonies // Blazer - Zara // Budweiser Tee - Target // Slim fit pants - local boutique // Ankle strap sandals - Zara }

'Tis the season for bbq reunions, ocean breezes, sunkissed skin, legs for days, cool beverages, and summer t-shirts. So why not combine the last two? 

A current trend I've been loving is how, regardless of what you feel like wearing today, topping it off with a relaxed t-shirt seems just right, given the season. Whether you're feeling lazy and want to roll out of bed into lounge-y jumper pants or needing to dress up for a night out with some high waisted skirts, sporting a summer tee can perfect your outfit to the T, literally. 

Speaking of perfection has got me pondering about success. Today's generation makes success seem like a number's game. Some people calculate their success by the amount of money they've stacked up in their bank account whereas others might consider success as a matter of how many followers they've got on some social media network. Like really? No joke. 

With all seriousness though, you shouldn't let these numbers get to your head. Instead, look at success as being genuinely happy with what you've accomplished in life. I believe success arises when whatever it is that you're engaged in was driven from the fact that YOU achieved something you actually WANTED regardless of pay.. If that's not the case you're in, continue working toward this definition of success. Go on and pursue what you actually desire. In the end, success is merely a personal perception of lifestyle. Tune your mind alongside your heart's goals. Then do what it takes to fulfill your own happiness. Don't be afraid to juggle multiple jobs if that's what it takes to get you through those doors. Stay productive because, somewhere down the line, productivity will grant you your success. Always work hard for your dreams and, ultimately, for yourself. Work toward your happiness. After all, you won't be able take all that money in the bank or your Instagram followers to your grave.. but Happiness? That's the priceless stuff that you'll be smiling about in your afterlife. 

Orange you Bold

Photo Credits: Paul Nguyen

FABLE PORTRAITS

{Leather Jacket - Shop Angl // Off shoulder top - Thrift // Zara skort - Ebay // Gold belt - Ebay // Round Sunnies - DeeLux // Lucite Strapped Ankle Heels - GoJane}

Got another round of shots with Photographer Paul Nguyen, and, I must admit, he is killing it! I once stumbled upon this location and have always wanted to shoot here. However, I never remembered the name of the place from so long ago. Next thing you know, Paul had an idea to drive us here and viola! Fate.

 I swear, great minds think alike.

Anyway, with summer on the menu, I felt the need to get more electrifying, bright, and bold with my outfits. This year, my heart's been rather peculiar toward light shades of orange/peach. To be honest, I've always secretly dreaded the color orange, especially combined with black, because it felt too typical Halloween. Ironically, my high school school colors were black & orange, and here I am rocking the combo years later. Guess that makes me a true LOS AMIGOS LOBO at heart? Heh.

Everyone keeps asking me if this outfit is a romper of some sort, and my answer is no. Scoring this light orange skort off Ebay for $14, I paired it with this similar-shade-of-orange, off-shoulder top that I had thrifted awhile ago for $5. Secret style tips: I actually pinned down the top's front a bit to make it heart shaped. I do this very often, and it always pulls off well in photos. Since the skirt falls on my hips and I prefer high waisted everything, I used my thick gold belt to hold up the skort. Threw on my leather jacket just to counter all the innocent colors, and, next thing you know, I have myself a pretty badass summery fit. 

 A majority of this outfit came from Ebay or thrift store finds that have been lounging in my closet for quite some rent-free time now. Feel free to search "zara skort" on Ebay though, and you're bound to stumble across a steal deal.

This is just another example of how I firmly live by:

It's not what you wear. It's how you wear it.

SUCKS FILTH AVE - NOIR BELIER

Photo Credits: Christopher Canon

CHRISFOTOG

Allow me to introduce NOIR BELIER, a new up and coming street-wear brand brought to you from the heart of Los Angeles. With a grim and crisp sense of street style, the brand delivers a fresh feel to your everyday tee. This definitely isn't your typical cheap print T-shirt feel as Noir Belier delivers quality fabric. Be sure to look forward to their one of a kind, unseen sick designs that'll grab the attention of any passerby. Here, I'm sporting the "SUCKS FILTH AVE" tee, which speaks loads for itself. It's mischievous, untamed, and slightly seductive -- I like it. If you dare to be bold, then this is definitely your go-to brand that may or may not pleasantly offend older generations. Just saying..

That's just the thing though. This is a street brand for our newer generations, a brand of the future. Fellas, get on this and kick back with that fresh newness. Ladies, cut them out for that side boob action or simply crop them up for that good summer feel.  Whatever you prefer, rock your inner Noir Belier. 

Shop here.