i'm basically wearing a fancy blanket + book review

While I'm unsure of exactly what field I want to work in yet, I'm sure it'll be related to the arts or fashion. Both are difficult fields, and I've been reading books by women I admire to get a feel of how they reached their goals.

Along the way, I dress for success with my fancy scarf, aka a blanket (and not just because I forgot to take photos of the books before returning to the library).

Introducing Sophia Amoruso, Diane von Furstenburg, Mindy Kaling, and Kate Betts:

#GIRLBOSS by Sophia Amoruso
This book blew me away, and it's one of those that leaves you feeling like you should go out and do something big! While Nasty Gal isn't one of my typical brands, it's undeniable it's risen in the ranks of mass retailers, and has quickly become a well known fashion house.

Amoruso seized opportunities along the way - she credits her success to a hernia. You'll have to read it to find the connection.

My Takeaway: Be aware of new platforms, be thrifty, be authentic and real.
Style: Autobiography, with a strong emphasis on how to become your own GirlBoss, and achieve your dreams.

Wearing: Forever 21 camel shawl, Hollister collared top, American Eagle jeggings, Sam Edelman Petty suede booties.

The Woman I Wanted To Be by Diane von Furstenburg
A beautifully written memoir. It reveals details about von Furstenburg's life that I hadn't known before; her mother, who was a Holocaust survivor, her own wild boarding school experiences, and the loves of her life. In contrast to #GIRLBOSS, this reads more like fiction, though it includes many historical tidbits, such as the rise of the first supermodels.

I found von Furstenburg's story to be reminiscent of a Gossip Girl storyline - full of drama, expensive things, and lots of attractive men. She actually married a prince, so it may not be a stretch to call her a real life Blair Waldorf.

My Takeaway: I didn't feel like I got too much out of it career wise, but it was fascinating to read, nonetheless.
Style: Autobiography, almost fictitious.

Why Not Me? by Mindy Kaling
How can one not love Mindy Kaling? Out of all the women above, I can relate to her the most, and her voice is more humorous. More than once, her stories made me laugh out loud, and garnered strange looks from those nearby - especially when there is hot pink text that proclaims "I have the Angelina Jolie of vaginas".

There are few women in general in media or entertainment, much less women of color, and Kaling has a TV show with her name! Along with Constance Wu, she's one of my favorites.

My Takeaway: Work hard and don't settle.
Style: A collection of stories and thoughts, reads almost like a blog.



My Paris Dream by Kate Betts
I have a bit of an obsession with Paris and the stereotypical French woman (I'm not sure if any of it is true for the general population). I love the natural makeup, the food, and of course, the fashion! As I've always dreamed of living abroad for some time in France, Kate Betts' story about her own time there was eyeopening and engaging to read.

Betts describes her first few moments in Paris, her journey up the corporate ladder, and the people she encounters in a relatable and thoughtful way. I felt like I was watching a movie similar to Boyhood. 

My Takeaway: Life doesn't always take you where you think it will. Don't be afraid to make hard choices.
Style: Autobiography, with a cinematic feel. Not lacking in the sensory descriptions.


A Rude Awakening
This comes as I had recently had an experience with a female CEO whom I highly admired. Listening to her speeches and interactions with others, she seemed like someone who was a great mentor and willing to not only open doors for others, but to pull them through. However, when I talked to her, that was not the case.

While I'm not taking it personally, it's a stark contrast between what I hope to be like should I ever reach a position in which I can help others, especially women. What's the point of being at the top if you can't help others at the bottom?

Kudos to me for not naming this post "Bop to the Top".

What are some good books you've read lately? Who do you admire? What do you think makes a good leader?

xx

Angelina

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p.s. my last book review post is here!

5 things I don't regret doing

First off, the elephant in the room, a new hair color! I've been talking about it on the blog for ages, and yesterday I added a photo on Instagram. In keeping with the theme of "things my kids will use as excuses to get away with things bc of my 'rebellious childhood'", 5 things I don't regret doing (other than dying my hair).

Starting a blog

When I was younger, I had a blog, but it is so embarrassing I can't even link to it. Surprisingly, it still gets page views today, if you Google a ridiculous question, it's the 3rd result on the first page. 

My blog now is a lot more professional, but I hope I've maintained a bit of the spontaneity and honesty I had in my younger self. I've always wanted my blog to be a place for me to share my thoughts and address issues I never saw traditional style bloggers talking about. Plus, I've met so many amazing people!

see: an eyeopening experience // it's all Greek to me

Sharing my feelings

Whether it be romantic or otherwise, I've always felt better after telling the other party how I felt. It was just about the hardest thing I'd done the first time, but it gets easier with practice, and I don't feel as though it's a huge deal now. 

With that being said, sometimes I still struggle with not making rash decisions and pushing people to see from my point of view. Every time I got into an argument with my dad, he liked to say, "And that's why you should be a lawyer, you like arguing."

see: don't be a prick

Wearing: Zara white top (similar), Nordstrom necklace (similar).

Selling my old clothes

I love fashion and clothes. Getting dressed is never a chore for me, and my motto is to always dress like I'm going to meet my ex. Murphy's Law right?

My constant shopping habits means that my closet is overflowing the majority of the time, and in order to create funds for more clothes academics and food, I sell my old ones (psst: shop my closet here!). Sometimes I still hang on to things for silly or sentimental reasons, but I've started getting a lot better at that. Money speaks right?

see: where to get cheap clothes // custom clothing on a budget // everything you need to know about fashion week // how to take proper care of your clothes

Going to a new school

A few years ago, I was absolutely terrified at the idea of going to a school where I didn't know anyone, and where the majority of my classmates would have known each other for ages. I'm really glad I did though, as this gave me an opportunity to reinvent myself (somewhat) and meet new people. 

I've become much more confident and outgoing, and I don't limit myself to a certain group anymore. It's refreshing, and I like not having to worry about doing everything as one unit. 

see: back to school dark boho // what it's like to be an introvert

Responding to ads on Craiglist

Interacting with strangers in general is scary, especially when the first contact is through the Internet. Predators are a real thing, as I've interacted with a few of them without even knowing, so it's always good to stay on guard at first. Sometimes it doesn't even hit me that anything I put out there could be read by anyone; my family, classmates, or even teachers. 

Over time, I've gotten better with finding ways to protect my identity, and I've been able to take advantage of great opportunities - focus groups, my photography business, and various side gigs. Once I made $100 for 30 mins of talking about fashion and my shopping habits. 

see: how to meet up with people online // my photography journey // my first time modeling

What are some things you don't regret doing? What are things you do regret? How has your December been so far?

xx

Angelina

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diy: how i went platinum at home

After keeping my platinum hair for almost 8 months, I decided it was time for a change. I really enjoyed it, and am so happy I took the plunge back in April.

Because I'm always looking for fund my shopping habit save money, I DIYed everything, and thought I would share it in a better and more concise form than my previous posts. By doing it myself, I saved about $700.

A large amount of the changes that come with platinum hair is also how people treat you, and your perception of yourself.

   

 Platinum hair is not for everyone. I'm not gonna lie, it's a ton of work - in terms of getting your hair there and keeping it alive.

For everyone with dark hair - you'll need a ton of bleach. I bleached my hair 4 times (you can see individual photos here), with each bleach session lasting about 1 hr. I'm not entirely sure if that was safe, but my hair was not too damaged initially.

To protect my hair, I waited a couple days after a wash, so I had lots of natural oils, and rubbed olive oil in as well 30 minutes before dying.

 I smelled like a walking tub of popcorn, but we've all done strange things for beauty. 


While bleaching, you need to keep the bleach moist so it can stay effective. I'd recommend using a shower cap, but I didn't have one, so I improvised by wrapping a plastic bag around my head. 

Try to keep minimal amounts of bleach from touching your skin, and wash it off immediately if it does on accident. You'll probably get a few breakouts on your hairline, as the bleach sits there when it's on your hair as well.

Once your hair has reached a pale yellow color, like the inside of a banana, you'll have to tone. I used Wella Color Charm T18 , which worked pretty well. You mix it with developer, and it comes out yellow, but eventually turns purple. This'll counteract the yellows in your hair to make white (color theory).

   

To maintain the health of my hair and color, I used Generic Conditioning Shampoo and Shiny Silver Ultra Conditioner, as well as Ion Effective Care Treatment and Aussie 3 Minute Miracle. Because my hair was so dry, I didn't need a lot of shampoo, and cut down to a dime sized portion, leaving it in for a minute. I used more conditioner, and left that in for 3-5 minutes.

I alternated between Ion and Aussie, sometimes mixing them together. The repair treatments I left on for 3-5 minutes as well.


Obviously, my showers became a lot longer, as I had to stand and wait for the products to become effective. I always turned off the water and did some arm circles (because when else am I going to voluntarily exercise except when bored out of my mind and stuck in the shower), and timed myself by listening to Pandora - 1 song = ~4 mins.

My damaged hair also took ages to dry. Beforehand, it would be dry within 1-2 hours, and afterwards, it would take between 4-5 hours to completely dry. My hair also became gum like, and elastic-y, falling out if I was too rough with it.


The most difficult part for me (and ultimately why I changed my color) was the roots. You're "supposed" to get them done every 6-8 weeks, but I didn't have the energy nor the time for that. Instead, I stretched it to every 4 months (16 weeks), but as you can see, my roots became very noticeable.

Oddly, dying my roots was more damaging to my hair than the first round. It's tough to match the color exactly, and you don't want to go over the "line" of your previous bleach, because that will weaken your hair and it will break at that point.

So guess what happened to my hair? That's right, it broke off 2-3 inches away from my roots, giving me these weird mini bangs that still won't stay down.

Because my hair was so damaged the second time around, I chose to skip the toner and simply use purple shampoo. You can see how yellow my hair was initially, and after a few months of consistently using shampoo, it's become a nice, white color - with a few brassy patches still scattered.

Even with all the struggles and damage, having platinum blonde hair was the best. Initially, I did have to deal with some who thought I was trying to be Caucasian and more catcalling as well, though there were also many compliments from people I admire, and conversations started with strangers over my hair.

I've always been more on the reserved side, though I think I'm an ambivert, and having this "instant conversation starter" was really beneficial to me. I became used to the curious stares, and I feel like it encouraged me to be a bit more bold than I'd usually be. People didn't just lump me into a stereotype, because there wasn't one that existed for "blonde Asian who is somewhat good at school and likes fashion".

My friends also appreciated being able to quickly find me in a crowd - which says something when you're only 5'3".


Now, I no longer have platinum hair, and although I miss it at times, I'm glad I didn't keep it any longer. I was beginning to feel like it was too big of a part of my identity, almost like I was scared that without it, people wouldn't treat me the same, or find me as "interesting". When one of my friends dyed her hair the same color as mine, my first reaction was being anxious that I would no longer be as "unique".

I was afraid to fade back into oblivion, and I wanted to stay recognized. But I also didn't like how attached I was to a physical feature - at the end of the day, it's who we are, not what we look like, that really matters.

After 8 months as an unnatural blonde, I can definitely say that we have more fun. 

Would you ever consider going platinum blonde? What's the most unusual hair color you've seen or had? 

Let me know if you have any questions about anything!

xx

Angelina

p.s. a post about my new hair color is in the works (:

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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