"Perfection is in Perception"

Greetings Earthlings. January is finally coming to an end...YAY! Sorry to be a downer but I kind of hate January. It's cold, for what seems like no reason, and the Salt Lake Valley is depressed with an overwhelming film of SMOG. Bleh. Gross. Usually, I like to keep an open mind about situations so I don't make it worse on myself or anyone else for that matter but now that it's over, I can officially rant about it. But hey! On a better note, it's national Chocolate Cake day. Best day ever, if you ask me. Hehe.

Anyway, I'm just going to get straight to the point. Last week I was sitting in my Visual Merchandising class when the topic of personal preference was brought up. Instantly my ears perked up. In class, we were relating this concept to how we can best market items and who our target customers are. While in discussion, my mind began to wonder on the sole principle: Personal preference. Hmmmmm. It seems so obvious. We either like something or we don't. Well yeah! Whether it be food, clothes, friends, lovers, blah blah blah.... you get it. We all have different taste. But for me, I've never related that to "perfection". My professor, who I think holds great advise and gets my mind really thinking, simply stated, "Perfection is in Perception". That's when it hit me like a train... YES. How simple, yet true a statement! We are all in this world seeking perfection but it's all really just a matter of personal opinion. For me, I have always been on the quest for the perfect body. I go to the gym like your grade A tool, eat right and sleep as much as possible but I wasn't achieving what I thought was perfect. My ultimate goal was to be tall and skinny... like "Brandy Melville model" tall and skinny. Well, genetically, that's impossible for me. Haha for real. I'm 5'4 and I have an athletic build... my chances aren't looking good but that's merely my perception of the perfect body. To others, having muscle is perfection, being curvy is perfection or whatever. This is just an example. This could really be thrown in to any situation but my point is: Is perfection even real? I'm going to have to say NO. With varying opinions and conflicts of interest, there is not one, singular goal of perfection. That may sound cumbersome seeing that we are always trying to be better but I see it as something truly amazing! Personal opinions and preferences bring so much diversity and individually to the world. How sad a life without such color and creativity. I'm forever grateful to live in a time where being different and accepting "the oddly beautiful" is in fashion (so-to-speak). 

I hope my simple realization today impacted you as much it did me and some chocolate cake is sounding real nice right about now. Nom Nom Nom! 

Happy Tuesday!

-sam

confidence is everything

Yooooo. Today I'm using this post to blab about my newest and, as of now, my biggest life realization yet. So often, I find myself in social situations being a complete outcast. Hahaha Yeah, guys I'm a total LOSER and I'm so beyond aware of it! Seriously though. Since Jr. High, meeting new people and being confident around others has been my biggest struggle and for so long I haven't been able to figure out why. Either I'm completely silent at a party or I'm killing myself trying to put together the right words to express what I have to say. I've always felt ashamed and embarrassed about, what I used to call "my lack of personality", until now. No. I do NOT lack personality (cause I can be damn funny sometimes) , I have lacked CONFIDENCE. It seemed as if everyone else in this world had it but me. And I can't even begin to describe how awful of a feeling that was. Whether it was being the quiet wallflower at a party or body dysmorphia and the unreeling fear of having my picture taken or worrying about people making fun of my blog (hehe) or feeling like my abilities in anything I did were simply just not up to par, it sucked. It sucked SO bad but it was ALL in my head. The only thing holding me back from achieving anything was ME. 

This year I've committed to change. I have vowed to have confidence in all that I do (I emphasize the "ALL that I do"). Your destiny is in your hands. No one is going to make your dreams come true, or change your attitude for the better, it's completely on you to make things happen. I mean, yeah, I'll probably still be the "woman of few words" at parties but at least I won't feel bad about it anymore, right? ;) We've all heard the quote, "you choose to be happy". Well YEAH! The first step to being happy is being ok with yourself and liking the person you are.  J. Cole just released a new album (and my boyfriend is totally going to make fun of me/ love me for using this because he LOVES J. Cole) but there is a line he uses that I've taken to heart. He says, "No such thing as a life that's better than yours". I have seriously never heard anything more true. Everyone has worth, including YOU. 

There's my tangent for the day. Have a Glorious Tuesday:) There is so much amazing music to be heard, art to be seen and people to love so I hope you take today to include a couple of those things.

Adios!

-sam

PS my entire outfit is from Free People lol. 

Mock Necks and Layered Necklaces

Good afternoon ladies and gents! I don't know what it is but today seems like the perfect day to be PRODUCTIVE. Yeah, I mentioned before that I have been off my game in the efficiency aspect as of late and it has been a rough road getting back into it. With a bit of self pep talks and some stepping outside of my new found, lazy comfort zone, I have been able to light my fire again! Thank goodness. 

  

Anyway, I've decided to feature, not only my store, but also one of my favorite new trends; the Mock neck. They have not been very "hip" in recent years but I have been seeing them EVERYwhere. Whether it's Vogue, Cosmo or even just on the street, everyone seems to be picking up on this modest neck line. Needless to say, I am definitely on the band wagon;)

My mock neck tank, sateen skinnies and layered neckalce are all from good ol' Free People. Gotta love that discount (pretty sure I work for trade). The floor length kimono WAS from Lola Bella Boutique and the black booties can be found at Asos. 

Preppy Prepster

Happy Monday everyone! It's safe to say that today's weather in SLC is more than incredible on this fine morning and of course that causes for a perfect day:) That being said, I took the liberty of skipping school today to enjoy it.... shhhhhh. I usually stress out about missing school or work so much that it's not even worth it but today, I have found it in me to make an exception. In other news, I have finally decided to take the plunge to move out for the first time! Ahhhhh! I probably should've moved out a long time ago but hey, better late than never:) I actually almost moved out last Fall but I decided to travel through Europe for a month instead.... yeah, definitely worth it! Anyway, with the decision of moving out on my own, comes a massive amount of new responsibilities, the biggest being financial responsibilities. Of all things that scares me in this world, not being about to pay bills and buy the things I need would definitely take a place near the top of the list. This all causes for budgeting and saving! Two words I've loved to ignore while living for free with my parents and buying whatever I want, when I want. No more reckless shopping!:( how will I ever survive? haha 

With the theme of pinching pennies, I have decided to feature a thrifted sweater. I got this insanely comfortable pull-over from Pib's Exchange, the layered, chambray button up from Forever 21, the leather leggings from Bohme Boutique, shoes from Asos and the grey bag for Tilly's is back! 

Till Next time loves:)

-sam

The Bag Lady

Hi hi HIIII! I want to start of this week by making fun of myself. Yup. By the title, you can already guess that I'm poking fun of the fact that I am a "BAG Lady". Not meaning, I love to shop for bags or something lame like that, I am merely signifying that my busy schedule requires me to basically live out of my numerous bags that I take with me everywhere. So, therefore, I'm constantly looking borderline homeless. But hey! We deal right?;)

In other news, life is in an upswing..... AGAIN. Honestly, I'm wondering when the dreadful day will be when my amazing luck is going to run out. But for now I'm going to relish in the positive vibes:) What's got me so excited these days? The only thing I like other than clothes and music.... Obviously a boy. Like.... I'm kind of embarrassed that I'm even blogging about this hahaha but, for those who know me, I've been so anti-relationship to the point that we all thought I'd end up alone with a double-digit amount of house cats. I mean, that is definitely still a possibility and is not something I'm remotely opposed to but it's also refreshing to know that I DO have feelings towards people (that has been questioned a time or two).  

Outfit wise?..... The burnt orange beanie is from rvca, the jacket is from Urban Outfitters, the tank is obviously from Brandy Melville, the Jeans are from Top Shop, Boots are Bed Stu, the fringe bag is from Free People, the grey bag is from Tilly's and the black bag was actually a free gift with purchase from the Oxford Trunk! Oh.... the glasses.... I honestly have NO idea where these bad boys came from. I'm pretty sure I wore them for a nerd costume back in high school and now I'm featuring them on my fashion blog. Haha talk about upcycling fashion.... right? 

Farewell for now sugar plums! Have an amazing week and, on a side note, Salt Lakers take advantage of the unbelievable mountains we have been so blessed to live by this fall! The colors will rock your world.   

-sam

Everything is Just Better in the Fall

YES! I honestly love nothing more than AUTUMN and it's finally here! I mean, there's pumpkin flavored everything, crisp nights and cozy, earthy-toned apparel. How could you NOT love Fall? Running on my Fall-time high, I have revived one of the lamest fashion trends of the 90's. Yup, Turtlenecks. I have always poked fun of such a neckline in the spirit of it having TOO much coverage but I'm now eating my words..... This emerald Turtleneck Dress was purchased at Asos, the tights from KarmaLoop and the Booties were actually one of those RARE, amazing finds at Platos Closet. Finding those was like finding gold! I wear them almost too often so they mayyyyy be featured on here again. I wish you a very merry autumn, may it be filled with oversized scarves and pumpkin spice chai:)

-sam

Back to school. Back to school, to prove to Dad that I'm not a fool.

It's official, school is HERE! For most, that last line is a dreadful thought but I would have to say I do not fall under that category anymore. With changing my major and transferring schools, I have never been more excited to engulf myself in my education. I can't not put into any other words than, it just feels right. I am studying Fashion Design right in the heart of Downtown Salt Lake City and things just seem to be falling into place here. I believe I have quite possibly found my nitch. :)

These lovely photographs were taken by the incredible Dean Chytraus, whom of which is bursting with talent! We actually shot these back in March but I have been awaiting the completion of my blog to post these. For those who know me, I dread the thought of having any picture taken of me, so this is extremely out of my comfort zone but life is all about breaking those amenities, am I right?

For those curious, I found my dress at a local boutique in SLC that is actually no longer in business but I have attached a few sources with similar characteristics. :) My shoes are Steve Madden and the sunnies were surprising purchased a Tai Pan Trading. 

-sam

http://us.asos.com/ASOS-T-Shirt-Dress-in-Textured-Floral-Mirror-Print/13w0b2/?iid=4478021&cid=15801&Rf980=3674&sh=0&pge=1&pgesize=36&sort=-1&clr=Print&mporgp=L0FTT1MvQVNPUy1ULVNoaXJ0LURyZXNzLWluLVRleHR1cmVkLUZsb3JhbC1NaXJyb3ItUHJpbnQvUHJvZC8.

http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/product/clothes-dresses/4130342480068.jsp#/

If you're from SLC, you have a picture in front of this.

Awe, the iconic SLC Pepper mural, located on 400 West between 200 South and 300 South, has been a cultural treat to good ol' Salt Lake City. Inspired by the album artwork of The Beatles' Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, artist Jann Haworth made her piece a 50 ft by 30 ft into a mural in the heart of Downtown Salt Lake. She plans to create more in Los Angeles and Barcelona. Crazy to think the first one started in Utah... how lucky are we? 

On a less cool note, I have to give my kid brother credit for my outfit because, after all, I had to raid his closet for these killer joggers. Nothing better than a pair of throwback, acid-wash jeans and blacked out chucks for the day. 

Until next time, my loves.

-sam