it's all Greek to me

A collection of things I don't really understand, from the inconsequential to the important. Because it's all Greek to me - like the columns (someone please appreciate my jokes).

In listicle form, since I've realized my posts tend to be very long and wordy. And I've been spending too much time on Buzzfeed lately.

Any and all kinds of makeup
I just don't understand it. I wish I did, since it seems like this magical experience that all girls can bond over - sharing makeup tips and struggles. But it just escapes me how to do things like that with my own face, which is odd because I think I'm a fairly decent artist, and makeup is an art form.

I blame it on the fact that on some days I have monolids, and some days double lids. Sometimes I have both. It's such a struggle.

The whole Mulan debacle
With the plethora of talented Asian actresses, I simply can't understand why Disney is even considering casting a Caucasian actress for the live action Mulan. I fully understand that strong leading female roles are rare and sought after, but strong leading female roles for Asians are even more scarce. It's like receiving a brand new textbook from school, or an organized Forever 21 sale rack.

Why is casting actors and actresses of the same race as characters so difficult? Why is diversity even an issue?

Wearing: Brandy Melville cropped grey sweater, Forever 21 skater skirt, PacSun necklace, Sanctuary Co leather jacket, BP. Trolley ankle bootie.

"Where are you really from? Like, are your people from Asia?"
I get that you're curious about where I'm from, but it doesn't need to be such a big deal. You assuring me that "Chinese food is like my favorite. I eat tons of sushi too." is not going to make me like you more.

I may be too sensitive on this topic, but I just don't understand this intense need to figure out whether I'm Korean, Chinese, Japanese, or whatever. My race or ethnicity isn't responsible for my actions. I am.

Tired of getting things hemmed
Dear brands that carry denim,

I don't think of myself as incredibly short. But every time I go shopping for jeans, I'm reminded of how petite I am. Retailers everywhere, take note, a 30 inch inseam is not short! And thank you American Eagle for actually fitting me well.

Sincerely, a 5'3" denim lover.

Donald Trump
Not only is he incredibly racist and ignorant, he's literally shared nothing about his plans for the country should he win the election. And it's looking like there is a chance he'll be in the running.

Why is this even a possibility? He's talked about a "Muslim registry", global warming being "made up by the Chinese", and incomprehensibly insulting towards immigrants. Our foreign relations would go down the drain, to say the least.

Who invented this "hiatus" thing?
I want my tv shows back, and I want them now! It doesn't seem right that when we have winter break and summer break, new episodes aren't running - though I'm sure those in the industry appreciate and deserve the rest.

But how am I going to go without How to Get Away with Murder, Pretty Little Liars, or Reign? I might have to actually be productive and get work done. The horror.

Holiday spirit
As Thanksgiving is today, I hope everyone has a wonderful time with your families! We're staying in with some close friends, and having duck. We've never been able to finish a whole turkey.

A few months back, I wrote a post on what I was grateful for, and those still apply today: parents, education, and a home.

What things are confusing to you? What are your thoughts on the topics above? How was your Thanksgiving?

xx

Angelina

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p.s. as I write this, I no longer have platinum hair! A post will be coming soon, but in the meantime, guess what color!

how to take blog photos in public

I always get a lot of questions about shooting in public and taking outfit photos, and I thought I'd condense them into a post. Also because this location has been one I've wanted to shoot at for ages, but it's usually quite busy.

If you've ever wanted to be able to take outfit photos in public without feeling (as) awkward, this is the perfect post for you.

The basics
Logically, starting out, it'll be easier to pick a place with less traffic. You can choose a quiet street, or a time when people aren't out, like during school/work hours, or early in the morning. I still tend to prefer these places, since you don't have to worry about people in the background of your photos, or staying out of people's ways.

Try: quiet side streets, business districts on the weekends, church parking lots (they seem to have great flowers) on the weekdays.
Avoid: major roads, shooting at a school/workplace during their hours, downtown during lunch/dinner.

Wearing: Merona denim top (similar), F21 skater skirt, DV by Dolce Vita oxfords, J.Crew statement necklace (similar).

Preparing beforehand
Making sure everything runs smoothly includes trying on the outfit beforehand, having some inspiration photos, and a few go to poses. It sounds obvious, but sometimes outfits just don't fit the way you'd think! Inspiration photos are helpful both to you and your photographer, and it's great to be on the same page with what you're looking to get. Practice posing a bit in the mirror, which can feel very uncomfortable, but it'll help you relax if you're not comfortable in front of the camera.

I also feel like we don't look into the mirror and just appreciate what's in front of us nearly enough!

When strangers are better than friends
Inevitably, people will notice you, and ask what you're doing. I typically tell them it's for school (that lets you get away with almost anything), as I feel like saying "I run a fashion blog" doesn't carry the same weight. Unless you look really professional and have a heavy camera with tons of lighting equipment. Which I don't (yet).

I don't mind when strangers see me, because I'm so used to it with taking pictures of other people for my portfolio and "modeling" with friends, but it would be incredibly awkward if friends or people I know saw me. I haven't told people I know in real life about my blog, because there are so many sides to myself that I don't necessarily exhibit to those I interact with on a daily basis. It would keep me from being able to talk about whatever I'd like, though maybe I will someday.

To avoid this, I try and find less well known locations, shoot at odd times, or drive outside of my city. It's not too far, and it makes for a great change of scenery as well. To find new locations, I simply keep aware of my surroundings and take pictures with my phone of potential settings. While I used to zone out during my morning commute, I'm now always looking for interesting nooks and crannies instead.

Why yes, I do live on the edge
Some of the best places I've shot at are most likely technically not allowed. Okay, probably more than likely. I've snuck up roof tops, slipped into empty houses, and climbed over many, many fences. A technique I've picked up would be to hold very still when someone walks by. We're less likely to notice something that isn't moving, and most people are too preoccupied with their own days to actively look around them - a blessing in disguise. Avoid eye contact! It would give people a reason to talk to you, and if you don't have a legitimate reason to be there, you don't really want that.

Of course, use your own judgement about whether locations are safe to shoot in. I wouldn't drive out to an abandoned house in the middle of nowhere - literally every horror movie ever! Make sure to let people know where you're going, and ideally bring a strong friend.

If you're in need of new people to shoot or take your photos, here are some great ways to meet new people online safely.

"Will you please move already?"
When shooting in heavy traffic areas, remember to be considerate of others. While we all want those casual, crossing the street photos, they're a real hassle to get, and traffic may not be forgiving. While I'm a big fan of city shots, it's irritating for me when I have to step around some people taking photos in the middle of the sidewalk.



The only thing that matters
Finally, as with most things, confidence is key. If you have fun with it, you won't feel weird or uncomfortable if a few people happen to glance your way. I used to only tolerate being in front of the camera if my friends were taking the pictures, and having strangers take my photos was a nightmare. I was always worried a shot wouldn't come out right, like I had to be perpetually photogenic.

That's not true. As we've all been reminded over the last few weeks with the Essena O'Neill story, social media is not real life, and neither are my images. They're snippets, curated from hundreds more.

Celebrity lookalike? I think yes!
Because I get up every morning at 6am, I'm a firm believer of sleeping in on weekends. But when I voluntarily chose to get up early, it's usually for something big! I'm so glad we got to this football field at 8am, there are typically people doing athletic things (ugh right?), but it was blissfully empty that early on a Sunday.

My inspiration for this outfit was undoubtedly Taylor Swift. I'm pretty sure she's been spotted in this like a million times. If you squint, I'm basically Taylor.

Hopefully this (rather wordy) guide helped out a bit, go forth and take photos in front of all those people!

What was your most awkward experience taking photos? Do you have tips or questions? What's your favorite place to shoot?

xx

Angelina


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don't be a prick - thoughts on "being nice"

While it's already well into November, and therefore fall, California still can't make up it's mind. So I brought out my favorite white dress for one last day - taking it into fall with a dark grey Brandy Melville Caroline cardigan and bold lip. 

The angle
When sitting down to write outfit posts, I always try and think of an angle, so it's more engaging to the reader than the average "this is what I bought, here's where to buy it" type of thing. With this being in a cactus garden, "don't be a prick" came pretty quickly to me, and then I thought about what that means. 

I interpreted it as "be nice". 



Born selfish
 I have a weird relationship with being nice. On one hand, I want to be that girl, whom everyone likes being around because she'll always have a spare stick of gum or be willing to help out. On the other, I want to mean business, and let people know not to mess with me.

Naturally, I'm not a great person. On a sliding scale, I'm about in the middle, maybe skewing towards the left side a bit. I think by nature, humans want to be good, though sometimes through twisted means. We're born selfish, which has a negative connotation, but in this sense, I simply mean that our first instinct and cares are for ourselves. 
That's the way it had to work out throughout history; if we all placed others before ourselves, we would never get anything done and would have likely died off ages ago. 

Wearing: Abercrombie lace dress, Brandy Melville Caroline Cardigan, Kensie Hadin Sandals.

Thanks society
Most people are quite polite and well mannered in public, though I'm sure we all let loose a couple of f-bombs and snide remarks occasionally. Through our parents, friends, and consumption of media, we've learned what's right and what's not. With a growing moral compass, some of us stick to the rules, most of us interpret them, and a few of us are governed by our own set of moral values (Kohlberg's stages of moral development). 



Applying it to myself
Going back to my earlier points, most of the time I will put others before myself, more frequently as I've grown up. I try to be empathetic, to not burn down bridges, to distinguish between when I should say the truth and when to tell white lies. All for the sake of "being nice", and being seen as such. Also because I would prefer to have friends and not be alone all the time!

But to what degree is being nice beneficial - both to ourselves and those around us? 



Two sides
I would argue that a healthy dose of selfishness and candor is needed in all aspects of our lives. Being seen as or being told that you're nice can make you feel warm and fuzzy, but in many aspects, I would choose the ambitious, strong woman over the nice one. 

That's not to say that I don't value kindness and looking out for others, because I do. Some of my best friendships are with people who have these values. I believe that knowing when to display which traits is important, and that's good news since humans have been shown to be quite adaptive. 


In fact, I would say my main problem with being perceived as "nice" is that people will think I'm one dimensional, that I can be taken advantage of without consequence. I want to be both - someone who can be depended on to always listen, who remembers birthdays, but also someone who voices her opinion and stands her ground. As with most things, it's a process, and I'm figuring it out.

What did you guys think of this post? Do you identify as being seen as "nice"? What do you look for in others?
 
xx
Angelina

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it's just peachy

It's been a wonderful few days, though very hectic as well. I haven't written a lifestyle type post in a while, where I just talk about what's new, and it seems like with the start of a new month, this is a common theme throughout the blogging community.

Plus, a lil poem I wrote a few years back - and am still quite proud of to this day. 

My Halloween weekend was busy in the best way. On Friday, I went to Halloween Haunt with a friend; I was a bit apprehensive as my horror threshold is pretty low. The only horror movies I've seen are The Purge, the older Poltergeist, and The Woman In Black. My sole reason for being able to sit through these was that it was highly unlikely to actually happen to me, or the I knew the visual effects wouldn't be as realistic.

There were "mazes" set up, each with a different theme - an insane asylum, toy factory, zombies at a high school, that sort of thing. As with most amusement parks, getting there early is key. We got through a decent amount within the first 30 minutes, then the lines became astronomically long, and it wasn't as fun because of all the people, and it didn't feel as haunted. 

Wearing: Silence&Noise white blazer (similar), BP. striped crop tee (similar), American Eagle hi-rise jeggings, DV by Dolce Vita oxfords, BP. gold pendant necklace (similar)

Beforehand, I had the genius idea of watching Buzzfeed videos of ghosts, researching MacKamey Manor, and Googling criminals in my area. Good one, Angelina.

With more people and a decreasing horror factor, I had a better time appreciating the sets. There's so much detail and thought that goes into everything, though sometimes I favor a more minimalistic type of horror. A blinking eye behind a curtain, or a long dark hallway are more intimidating for me than jump scares and zombies.
 

On Halloween Eve (if there is such a thing), I watched Psycho with friends. I admit to shying away from older movies, because of the black and white factor, and how different they are from movies nowadays.

The pace is a lot slower, and obviously the visual effects are not as advanced, so they told the story in other ways. The scenes in which Lila is driving, and voices are heard were different and an interesting take. The reminded me of how the characters would speak directly to the camera in House of Cards. 


I couldn't help noticing how her teeth weren't completely straight - which is so odd now, since almost everyone where I live is obsessed with teeth. Apparently, it's an American thing?

I would definitely watch more old movies when I'm more inclined to think, rather than just to relax. I feel like they're more like pieces of art that require and deserve your full attention.

 


My first day of November was spent running around - taking pictures, then later, trying to find my phone. Serina and I have shot previously, and this time we planned a monster meet up - I have 5 outfit series from this day! It was lovely, and I really enjoyed it. More on that later.

I love having blogger friends.

The not so lovely part? Losing my phone. I dropped it while crossing the train tracks, and didn't get it back until 2 days later when the stranger who found it called the number I had texted to my phone. I had just been about to erase all the data and buy a new one - thankfully I didn't have to deplete my Black Friday funds. 



And in case you read through this whole post waiting to hear my stab at poetry, I couldn't disappoint. Heck, I even read it in case you wanted to listen to it, because I think poetry is best appreciated out loud. Preferably when the speaker doesn't have a severe congestion and a bit of vocal fry. But oh well. 

it’s the flush of your cheeks

after a day in the sun,

long palm lined streets,

or grabbing fresh from the oven, a cinnamon bun.

it’s the taste of names

like Jane, Grace, or Kate,

and the sense of homework

finished far before the due date.

it’s turkish delight, piled high on a dish,

and also the hope

of a shooting star wish.

it’s the texture of an inside joke,

laughing with your best friends

or the sweet zing of sipping a Coke.

it’s all things girly, 

like charms, hearts, and bows,

buying new books,

or bright polish on toes. 

it’s milky polaroids,

saved in envelopes and drawers,

also lush, white, carpeted floors.

it’s the sound of the hours before the summer bell rings,

the rush of a bungee jump,

and the elation shopping brings. 

it’s finding the time to try out baking,

drinking a glass of cold milk,

or finishing a run, shaking.

it’s picking strawberries not yet ripe,

and finally being happy,

with your own body type.

it’s running through the waves at the beach,

or sleeping under the stars,

it’s just peachy.  

How has November been for you so far? Classic movie recommendations? Podcast/reading thoughts (I'm hoping to get a bit better and less monotonous haha)?

xx

Angelina
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