musings: the importance of friends

A few days ago, I spent 24 hours with one of my friends. We hadn't really seen each other in a few months due to school, but it was really nice and we had a great time together. 

With friends, I think it's important to be friends with people who make you feel great about yourself. 

While somewhat cliche, I had a friend who I was felt like I was competing with. We did have our moments where we laughed and bonded, but at the end of the day, it was a competition of who got more likes, who had better clothes, even silly things like who studied the least for school. 

It was an unhealthy relationship, and at the time, I was scared of being alone and not having any friends, so I stuck with it. 

While I know there are some people who are ok with and prefer to be alone in social settings, I'm not one of them. I care too much about what people will think of me, and how I'll be perceived - antisocial, awkward, weird, a loner. 

Sometimes I stay friends with people who are toxic because of this, but I'm slowly realizing when I should give it up, and when it's just miscommunication and my high standards. 

After many bridges burned beyond recognition, I've realized this:

1. Let people know when you're feeling a certain way: They can't be expected to know why you're suddenly ignoring them, so speak up and let them know why and what you feel. Simply trying to drop hints is not going to get you anywhere, and will probably have them feeling negative towards you. 

2. Sleep on it before making any rash decisions: I've made many terrible choices because I was caught up in the moment, and decided to act on a whim. I regret all of them, and have lost many friends because of it. Always sleep on it, and you'll find something that seemed to be a deal breaker doesn't seem important at all now. 

3. Be ok with drifting apart: It happens naturally, and although it's hard to accept the fact that your best friend now may be a stranger in a year, it's part of growing up. Don't take it the wrong way and decide to completely wreck your friendship because you're upset (I actually did do this when I was growing up). It'll be really awkward, and karma will make it so that you end up having to see each other again. 

4. Be appreciative of your friends: Notice the little things and thank them for it. It means they really care about you, and they think of you in their everyday life. 

BONUS: Some photos we took at the beach that don't really fit in anywhere else. I was originally hoping for clear skies so we'd get pinks and purples on the water while the sun was setting, but it was foggy, and we ended up with some soft lighting instead. 

I'm actually okay with how they came out, I think I might have still preferred the dramatic lighting, but when the weather is that sunny, there are much more people at the beach. 

We spent the whole day together, and I made a little video of all the things we did. You can watch it here, or down below!

What's your favorite thing about your best friend? Do you have any lessons about friendship? What'd you think of the video - should I make more like it? Let me know in the comments!

xx

Angelina

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p.s. you can see two different outfits I wore on this trip here (classy) and here (casual)!

meet me + introduce yourselves!

The last few days I've been receiving tons of comments, and I love interacting with new people! I've been realizing I haven't formally introduced myself, so here's a little bit about me!

When I was little, I was always writing blogs (although they were very haphazardly thrown together). As I've grown up, it was just natural for me to begin documenting my life through journaling, photography, and eventually, another blog!

Alongside photography, I'm also a full time student! In my spare time I enjoy shopping (a little too much!), meeting new people, organizing and reorganizing my closet, reading magazines and books, and planning my ever-changing dream vacation. 

I hope to learn more about myself and other through my blog, as well as become more reflective and aware of the world around me. Thank you for joining me on my journey!

Please feel free to ask me questions and introduce yourself in the comments!

Where are you from, where do you hope to go, what do you do? Random facts, talents, stories are all welcome! Whatever you feel comfortable sharing is great. 

Excited to meet you all,

Angelina

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comfy casual outfit + photography adventures

I've finally taken the plunge and upgraded my 18-200mm kit lens! I bought a 50mm 1.4, as well as a 24-105mm L - still not ready to fully commit to a prime. I was so excited, I went out and took pictures with a friends as soon as possible in the comfiest t-shirt dress ever. 

I still can't get used to how amazing the depth of field and blur is! My old lens only went down to about f/4.5, and backgrounds were always a huge part of the picture, but not anymore! 

It was a little chilly when I went out, so I pulled on this burgundy cardigan from Roxy. The knit is super chunky, so it's like wearing this soft blanket while still looking cute. I've worn it nearly everyday since the weather's been going up and down where I live.

One of my favorite parts of this dress is the v back. It doesn't go too low, so I can still wear it during the day, but it steps it up from a plain black dress into something a little more. I wore a white bandeau from Urban Outfitters under it. 

This dress would be perfect for a day out with friends, and it can quickly be turned into a fancier dress with heels and some statement jewelry. It's also simple and understated, so you don't look like you're trying to hard. Best $18 spent at Forever 21!

Quick lazy girl hair tutorial for beachy waves: I always French braid my hair while it's still damp, and let it out the next day for this. Because my hair is pretty dry from aggressive bleaching, it'll last two-three days. Before I bleached, it would usually only last one day. 

I've been wearing these sandals everywhere lately (as you may have noticed!), because they're just insanely comfortable and stylish. The t strap elongates my legs, which I really need being short, and they go with almost everything. At this point, I'm developing a tan!

While walking back, I noticed how the light was illuminating part of the bridge, and it looked like there was a light shining up. Golden hour is definitely my favorite time to shoot - pity it only lasts half an hour. 

I love how the sun colors the bottom of clouds when it's setting - the colors are always so magnificent and pretty to look at. 

BONUS! Some photos of mine I'm really happy with. We found this really nice pedestrian bridge, and because it was so high up, the sun could hit it directly. Whenever I discover amazing places like these, it's been because I wandered around, and actually got off my phone!

I recently discovered the wonders of VSCOCam and I've been using it on almost all my pictures since. It did take me a while to figure out how to import photos though. If anyone has any other suggestions of editing apps, please do let me know! If you'd like to check out my photos, they're here. 

xx

Angelina

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the color run - tips and experience

Ever since I first heard of The Color Run, I've been dying to go! It seems like a fun run that anyone, even the less athletically inclined, can participate in. And it definitely was worth it!

After the jump, find out my tips and experience to make your run the "Happiest 5K"!

Obviously, as the name says, this run is full of color! You'll get powder everywhere, so make sure to wear shorts you don't mind getting a little dirty. I saw a few people with Lulu leggings, which I would strongly suggest not to do, as they're expensive and easily attract dirt and cornstarch (what the color powder is made of). 

I didn't know this ahead of time, but the powder is actually done manually. There are volunteers at each color zone with powder in squirting bottles who fling it at you. They'll throw more on you if you run close to them with your hands in the air and generally look like you want powder. This also works if you don't want too much color - just run quickly through the middle. 

Alternatively, if you feel like you don't have enough of one color, there are piles of leftover color at the end of each Color Zone. We had a mini color fight where we just picked it off the ground and threw it each other. This covered a lot more than the volunteers did. 

I definitely had the most fun at the party at the end. There was music and dancing, and lots of color bombs - they hand you some packets to throw at the finish line, in addition to your medal. It was also the perfect opportunity to take videos. 

I did get some corn starch right in my eye though, so definitely be wary of that if you decide to join in. I saw I wasn't the only one - there was a girl with tear tracks running down her cheeks. They do have a first aid station, but it was a bit far, and I didn't want to leave the front in case I couldn't get a spot again. It is just cornstarch though, and it'll go away in a bit. 

As you can see, we got a lot more drenched in color after the party. There are clouds of color powder, and it all gets on you. I wasn't a huge fan of how blurry my shirt looked after this, so if you're looking to keep it bright and colorful, skipping this would probably be a good idea. 

It was nice the stuff came in a plastic bag, so it didn't smear everywhere on the way home. I would bring a change of clothes if possible, or at least lots of towels so you don't get color everywhere in your car. There weren't any places to store your stuff that I could see, so your car would most likely be the best option. 

They do have bathrooms available, but they're Portapotties, so I would strongly recommend going beforehand. They also have a water station along the way. 

Almost everyone I saw was walking, or lightly jogging. There is definitely no shame in not being fit, as most people take their time and enjoy themselves. It's very wheelchair or stroller friendly, and there were also a few little kids walking it as well. 

Although a little hard to see, the colors on my shirt have all run together. I'm still debating over whether I want to try something with vinegar and have it stay in, or wash it again so it's white. 

I was originally a little worried about hair and the staining, but it worked out very well. I used a little bit of leave in conditioner, and it came right out in the shower. I don't think I would've minded too much if it had stained though! 

Overall, I really enjoyed the run, and it's definitely something I would do again - maybe as a volunteer. I would recommend signing up as early as possible for cheaper rates; it's very easy to pawn your ticket off to someone else as checking in is just giving them your ticket. 

If anyone has done this run or has any other ones to suggest, please do leave a comment below!

xx

Angelina

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book review: fashion, art, and photography edition

Since I was little, I've rarely bought and kept books, because I would go through them so quickly it didn't make sense to spend money on something I'd read once. But now, I've started to appreciate certain "coffee table" books, and have started growing my collection again. 

This month, I'll be reviewing NYC: Basic Tips and Etiquette by Nathan Pyle, Isms by Stephan Little, The Teen Vogue Handbook, It, and Humans of New York by Brandon Stanton. 

it by alexa chung

I'm a big fan of Alexa Chung's style, and the way she always looks chic without trying to hard. She seems like a fun, bubbly person - an older, more sophisticated version of Taylor Swift basically. I happened to receive this as a gift, but I probably wouldn't buy it with my own money. 

There are some short anecdotes, but they're sort of rambling with no real sense of direction. It's how I imagine looking into Alexa's diary might be like. There are some polaroid-esque photos, as well as drawings, but nothing too mind-blowing or high quality. She does write a decent amount about her early influences, and fashion at that time. 

All in all, this book is mainly for the aesthetics and Alexa Chung, not the reading. 

-isms by stephan little 

I originally came across this book while researching for a school paper, and I'm really glad I did. It's chock full of information about art history in a reference style layout, but it's not dry or boring (at least for me). It covers from Renaissance to Post Modernism, with each art style taking up a page. 

It's light and small, so it would be perfect to slip into your back at a museum, so you really sound like you know what you're talking about. There are lots of full page artworks, and some sections for specific museums. 

I would definitely buy this - it's worth the money and it makes you look well educated ((:

nyc: basic tips and etiquette by nathan pyle

I've always wanted to live in New York, so I got this book from the library hoping to gain a little more insight into what it's like there. It's a much smaller book than I imagined, and a very quick read. The tips are all accompanied by drawings, and there are about 135 in total. 

Many of the tips were things that should be common sense, but probably aren't in today's world. It basically reminds you to be conscious of others, along with some sightseeing tips specific to NYC. 

I would get it as a gift for someone moving there, or for my room, especially since it's so cheap. I'm not completely sold on the usefulness of it though - there are probably many blogs about living in New York. 

the teen vogue handbook

I've always been interested in the fashion world, and curious about whether I could make it as a photographer, designer, or blogger. Although I'm sure the fashion insiders covered in the book have all done many interviews you can watch on Youtube, it's helpful to have them compiled in this format for me. 

It's sectioned into designers, models, beauticians, bloggers, editors, etc, so you can definitely find whatever you're curious about in the fashion industry. The trends are a bit old (~2009), but the advice is timeless. 

I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who's even considering the fashion industry as a career, or just interested in fashion. It would be a great gift as well (I know I'd love to receive it ;))! 

humans of new york by brandon stanton

Over the last few years, you've definitely heard of Humans of New York - even if you're not on social media at all. The basic idea is interviewing strangers on the street in New York, and then getting a photo to accompany the quote. It's always surprised me how much people will share with a random person, and I love reading new posts on the Facebook page. 

There are many spinoffs of HONY for different cities, and I'm actually a part of the team in my city. It's completely independent of HONY and we take the same idea and apply it to our city. I've loved the experience, and it's helped me become a lot more outgoing and bold. For those of you who are good at photography or talking to people, I would definitely encourage you to see if there's a Humans Of group near you, or create your own! 

Although I love HONY, I'm not sure I would've bought the book with my own money (I received it as a gift). Many of the interviews are repeats from ones posted previously, and there weren't many long ones included. About a quarter of them were "Seen at ___" posts. The photography was great in print, and it'll be a nice coffee table book though. Apparently, he's coming out with a new book this fall with longer stories, so that might be interesting to try. 

Please do let me know if you've read any of these books and what you thought of them! I'd also love to hear any suggestions for books to read in the future.

xx

Angelina

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how to get through finals week sane

For me, finals week is next week, and I'm definitely dreading it. I've been trying to study (mostly unsuccessfully), but hopefully I'll turn a new leaf in time to make it through my classes.

Here are some tips I've found helpful for concentrating, relaxing, and making it through finals (and dead week!)

1. pandora's classical for studying station
My house isn't completely quiet, and I find it hard to concentrate when there are people talking, kids playing, or cars driving by. So I use Pandora's Classical For Studying Station with my speakers, on low volume, to block out unwanted noise.

I personally can't listen to songs with lyrics because they distract me, and studies have shown the lyrics take up space in your brain that could be used to exam material, so I wouldn't suggest it, but you do you!

2. (25/5)x2, 15
While this looks like some fancy math equation, it isn't! It's how I find is most productive to chunk time for me. I spend 25 mins concentrating on my material, reviewing the textbook, homework, and tests, and I take a 5 min break after that time is up. After 2 of these 30 min chunks, I take a longer, 15 min break.

I usually use my short break times to stand up, walk around my room, and go to the kitchen to restock. Sometimes I'll do some basic yoga stretching so I don't cramp up. On my longer breaks, I'll go talk to friends, walk outside, or play with my dog. I wouldn't recommend trying to squeeze in a TV episode or Youtube videos, as it's impossible to stop once you've started. Trust me, I've been down that hole many times!

3. be comfy
For me, this means no pants, sitting in my sleeping bag. It's always a little chilly in my room, and I like to be able to feel my toes without layers of socks or heating on full blast. Sleeping bags are made to be warm for subzero temperatures, so they work out for my room perfectly.

If this means clearing off your whole desk, turning on the fan, making sure you have food stockpiled, whatever, then go for it! My favorite thing to drink is Spicy Chai from Trader Joe's, even when it's 80 degrees out. It's hard enough to concentrate for long periods of time, much less in an uncomfortable environment.

4. make study guides/cheat sheets
Some classes let you have a page/index card of notes to use for finals. Even if they don't, I would strongly suggest making a page (or pages) of notes to study from. I try to do these 1-2 weeks beforehand, and I study exclusively from these. It's a lot easier to learn from your own words, and it helps really cement the material.

I also color code my notes for dates, names, and vocab (both specific to that time and in general). Develop a system that works for you and what you're learning, and try to stick to that. It'll save you lots of brainache if you choose the same thing for all your classes.

5. study with a friend (or don't!)
Study parties sound so fun, at least in theory. I've never gone to one, although I've been invited many times. I know I can't study as well with other people, and I'm bound to be pulled off task. My type of studying is alone, with music playing, through notes and review. However, I know some people study better out loud or with friends. If that's your thing, go for it and use it to you advantage! You just have to try it out and see what works best for you.

6. calculate your finals grade
I love this website. It has every possible way your finals may be scored, and it's been pretty accurate for me so far. Sometimes, you're really worried about a certain class, and once you put in all the numbers, turns out you could get a 50% on the final and still do alright.

7. realize that finals are not everything
Cliche as it sounds, grades and school are not the end all, be all. A bad grade one year will not drastically impact your life afterwards, and everything will be ok.

Much luck sent to everyone taking their finals soon!

Please let me know if you have any tips for making it through finals week, as I'm still struggling with that...

xx

Angelina

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