destination san francisco

(from left) shirts- Forever 21 and Brandy Melville, Scarf- vintage, skirts- Brandy Melville and American Apparel, bralette- Urban Outfitters

While some people choose tropical destinations to get away from the falling temperatures, I find holidays spent in the chilled winter air more comforting. San Francisco is like a second home to me, so a foggy Christmas just seems fitting. These are just a few of my favorite items I'm bringing along, in case you need some inspiration for your own winter travels. Happy holidays to everyone.

ten truths tuesday #2

1. Keeping a journal is fun, and it will be even more fun to read later down the road.

2. Five books you should definitely read at least once are: Lolita, The Great Gatsby, Catcher in the Rye, The Virgin Suicides, Persepolis, and To Kill a Mockingbird.

3. The best holiday gifts are personal/sentimental ones. Think about EVERYTHING a person has EVER said to you before you pick out their gift. Think I'm exaggerating? I'm NOT!

4. Stop being passive aggressive. Use your words!

5. It's okay to eat dessert! Just make sure it's worth it.

6. Instead of crying your eyes out, use your sadness as fuel to do something productive.

7. Drink more water.

8. Trying something new/ outside your comfort zone is fun, exciting, and should be done whenever possible.

9. A PHONE CALL will always be more meaningful than a TEXT.

10. Deerhunter is a great band.

monday musing: tired, sad, and moping about unrequited love

Tired and sad are just some symptoms of the usual Monday blues. Unrequited love, however, is a feeling quite unlike any other. In fact, on the list of the most popular things to write songs about, unrequited love is third. 

unrequited- adjective: not returned or reciprocated

The dictionary definition of love? Let's be honest, it's probably not worth our time. Love is too subjective to really be defined, isn't it? For anyone who's experienced unrequited love, you probably know that it sucks. There really isn't an eloquent way to put it other than just blatantly recognizing that it feels shitty. Falling in love is easy, yet falling out of love is one of the hardest things to do. How has society evolved this way? Is it really fair that one can become enamored with another human being 1. without their permission and 2. without getting the privilege of being loved back? No, of course it's not fair. The truth is that it hurts, and what is love really worth? When love is requited, it seems as if it's worth the world. Unrequited love, on the other hand, feels more like a black hole that you will just eternally fall into deeper and deeper. Morbid? Maybe. As much as I try to fall back on my strong feminist values- that I am independent and don't need a significant other to keep me stable- it sometimes feels nice to have someone to depend on who can give you a break from always relying on yourself. I think that's okay, but the problem with it being okay is that it's not necessarily easy. But then again, I am a feminist: I am woman, hear me roar! If someone cannot reciprocate the love I have so generously given them, they're probably not worth it. I am a fabulous human who deserves to be loved, and so are you! What I suggest: get up out of bed, throw out those tissues, put away the box of chocolates, and go find someone who is able to appreciate how great you are. Easier said than done, I know, but it's worth a shot. Go out on a whim here- flirt with the cute barista at Starbucks, "accidentally" bump into a guy at  a music store and let him pick up those super cool vinyls you dropped, or maybe just spend an afternoon reading on a park bench and let someone cute approach you! What I think you should do in anticipation of all these new adventures is:

read a book

make art

get ahead on your work

go for a run

listen (best on shuffle) to this playlist full of some of those aforementioned songs on the subject of unrequited love

To all my hopeless romantics- I wish you the best of luck.

music mania

Every once in a while, I broadcast for my school's radio station. Here's my latest playlist. Enjoy.

ten truths tuesday #1

1. If you're feeling down, go for a walk. There's something comforting about getting slapped in the face by the cold winter air.

2. Going vegan for a week WILL make you feel better! Try it!

3. Wear something that makes you feel like a completely different person at least once a month. One little change could bring on a whole onslaught of new possibilities!

4. Drinking a cup of coffee with almond milk and stevia in the morning will make you feel like a million bucks. Don't overdo it, though.

5. Stop wasting your life on tumblr/ facebook/ twitter! Get something done! See the world!

6. Making time to read books will make you a smarter human being.

7. Loving Christmas music is totally normal and socially acceptable. Now is the time to let it all out.

8. Putting fresh flowers in your bedroom will make you happier.

9. Writing down a schedule/ to-do list for yourself will ACTUALLY help you get things done.

10. Buy yourself a holiday gift. You deserve it.