Christmas came and left too soon

After having dinner with my bf's family on Christmas eve, we stayed up late watching "A Christmas Story" on TBS.  I can see why it's a holiday classic.  It's funny how as a child, everything seems so life-threatening and dramatic, one event after the next.  It sounded rather humorous having an adult narrator embodying the thoughts of little Ralphie.  Perhaps that's why I appreciated it so much, because it was only a week ago that I had dug up my old journals (all 13 books dating back from 1999!) and spent hours reading them.  It was exactly like that, an older me narrating the thoughts of the younger me and it was so silly how I had such a dramatic and exaggerated tone about sibling rivalry or crushing on boys, and then on the very same page, the mature reflections about the Jane Austen books I had read for fun. . . all at the age of 13.  Wow.                        

Anyways, this Christmas my bf and I said we wouldn't get each other anything because I was back to being a nonworking student and Christmas shopping for family was expensive in itself.  However, even though I said I didn't want a gift from him, a big part of me was still hoping for something small from him, just to open.  We've been together for 7 years, but that doesn't mean he has to be dull and unromantic.  Knowing me too well, he did get me a gift.  He got me a card and actually wrote something sweet.  That was all I needed.  I love more of the thoughtful gifts like that; not like last year when he got me a $700 Theory pant suit because he said I would need "a nice suit when I become a full-fledged lawyer."  Does he know what I can do with that much money?  A new Miu Miu clutch and Ferragamo flats maybe?!  Well, it is still in its dust bag with the tags still on.  Hopefully I can still fit into it next year . . .

Anyways, of course, there was something more to the card.  There was a cute bottle of wine and a small piece of paper that indicated we would go to a wine country in Santa Barbara for two nights to go wine tasting!  I was very excited because I've been wanting to go, but it's hard when he hates wine!  Perhaps he can learn to appreciate the taste and I can learn more about this art!  The location he planned for us to go to was called Fess Parker, which seemed extremely expensive for a mere 2 nights, so I told him I would plan our trip on a smaller budget!  I did a lot of research yesterday and booked our stay at this quaint shabby chic hotel in Solvang called Hadsten House Inn and Spa.

I also made him watch Sideways because it was supposedly about two guys going on a road trip to the same wine country we planned to visit.  I was very excited to watch the movie because I was hoping to see beautiful vineyards with a French Provincial vibe and I just expected an overall feel-good movie.  Wow was I wrong.  It was an award-winning movie back in 2004 . . . but why?  How?  It was so depressing because it was about two unattractive, old men going through their midlife crises.  I tried to see pass it, to appreciate the art of wine tasting, and the progression of the lives of this simple fruit . . . All I saw was dirty, southern-looking motel rooms, boring people in drab clothes, and the potential for a very boring countryside trip for a very urban girl.  On the other hand, my bf appreciated it (probably only after he read the critics review) . . .

Nonetheless, my goal this break and coming year was to mentally slow my life down a little, so perhaps I can find the beauty in it all and develop a deeper appreciation for the countryside.  I just ordered "The Wine Bible" on Amazon, so I can get a head start on being educated.

It's been a lot of family time lately, my sisters are coming over today to hang out and I will attempt my first Julia Child's recipe!              

"I like to think about the life of wine. How it's a living thing. I like to think about what was going on the year the grapes were growing; how the sun was shining; if it rained. I like to think about all the people who tended and picked the grapes. And if it's an old wine, how many of them must be dead by now. I like how wine continues to evolve, like if I opened a bottle of wine today it would taste different than if I'd opened it on any other day, because a bottle of wine is actually alive. And it's constantly evolving and gaining complexity. That is, until it peaks, like your '61. And then it begins its steady, inevitable decline." Sideways. (love, love this quote) 

Love,
Nat

"Bloom Where You're Planted"

In the midst of Andrea Jung's abdication from CEO of Avon and a bribery scandal dug up by the SEC, I thought this is perfect timing to commemorate her for her accomplishments and not remember her for the last "mistake" she made.  I read a brief biography about her and I oddly felt we shared some sort of reincarnative simultaneous lives.  Yes, she's more than twice my age, but her early life felt vividly parallel to mine. The difference? Her story and success has unfolded and mine is anxiously waiting to be lived.  

• She was born to Chinese immigrants //  I was born to Vietnamese immigrants.
• In high school she was involved in student body and started as class secretary before becoming President //  In high school I was involved in student body and started as class vice president before becoming President. 
• She ended up going to Princeton //  I ended up going to UCLA (not an Ivy League, but still for the sake of my analogy. . .)   
• She planned on going to law school but took a detour by working at Bloomingdale's with the hopes of gaining an edge in managerial training before law school  //  I did not plan on going to law school but took a detour by working at Bloomingdale's with the hopes of gaining an edge before breaking into the fashion marketing industry.  
• Her aspiration to be a lawyer diminished in the dust as she moved up the ranks at Neiman Marcus  //   My aspiration to apply to the Neiman Marcus Buyer's Program diminished in the dust along with the hopes of being in fashion as I went to law school . . .
• Two decades later and she is CEO of Avon and is known as the "CEO Who Wore Chanel." //  . . .  

Could it be that had the stars lined up for me that very week I was debating between going to FIDM and applying to the NM program in New York, or abandoning the fashion industry altogether and get a 9 to 5 job, I may have inevitably walked the same path she grazed?  Had I let too many disillusioned FIDM students and a practical, realistic bf talk me out of a road ready to embrace my footsteps?  That, I'll never know. Who says I can't end this anecdote with "Two decades later and I am CEO of  ___ and is known as the CEO Who Wore Chanel" . . . we will time capsule this for a future date.  2031?

"when she instituted a casual dress day at the company’s New York City headquarters . . . Jung would opt for minimalist Giorgio Armani suits instead of her usual Chanel fare"
via http://www.forbes.com/sites/leahbourne/2011/12/19/the-ceo-who-wore-chanel/ 

sources: http://www.notablebiographies.com/supp/Supplement-Fl-Ka/Jung-Andrea.html; http://lifestyle.inquirer.net/8285/%E2%80%98follow-your-compass-not-your-clock%E2%80%99 

rain, rain

via weheartit.com

It's pouring outside . . . as I'm studying inside with my warm cup of coffee . . . Carla Bruni quietly playing in the background . . . Christmas lights flickering . . . Finals week . . . trying to make it as bearable as possible.
Love,
Nat

Be Parisienne

Last week I found this article that I've been meaning to share, as it relates to this whole Project Happiness of mine:  http://www.cnn.com/2011/12/07/travel/five-paris-lessons/index.html

Five Lessons Learned From Living In Paris

"Before I lived in Paris, I would go through life on autopilot. . .

Paris taught me not how to just exist, but to thrive and make every small moment meaningful."

1. Live a passionate life

2. Cultivate an air of mystery

3. Look presentable always

4. Don't forget the simple pleasures 

(and do not deprive yourself)

5. Make life a formal affair

I thought this was wonderful because I had spent 5 weeks in Paris studying abroad, and I barely took the time to appreciate it's beauties until I started reminiscing about it.  I remember the first time our tour guide took us to see the Eiffel tower from the Palaice de Chaillot, where the view was breathtaking.  I remember the gorgeous view of the city from the Sacre Coeur atop the Montmarte Hill.  I remember running down the streets of Paris to class, holding big sketch boards, and dropping by the same cafe to pick up the same strawberry tart and cafe latte each morning.  I recall people enjoying their lattes and staring at me, probably scoffing "Ah, un-notha Ah-meh-rican gurl en Pah-ri."  I recall shopping around the Champs-élysées and purchasing my first Chanel purse.  Paris was also the place where I developed my love for wine.  If I could slow it all down, I would relive those 5 weeks with more passion.  And that is the end of that for now.

Fast forward a couple years later, I stumbled onto this link and sent it to all my sisters as my "bridal shower inspiration."  I still love it.  So bookmarking it here.  Vintage Paris and Peonies. 

http://www.heavenlybloomsblog.com/2010/08/french-inspired-bridal-shower.html

And the whole point of this, was just to say that I wanted to add another thing  to my to-do list: Project Remodeling: redecorate my vanity table area and office - parisienne inspired, on a budget!  Meaning, I will try to paint, reupholster, and all that fun stuff.  Limited to these 2 areas because those are the only places I have jurisdiction over, everything in our apartment has to be androgynous.  It will be something fun and mindful to do this break.  It'll get my creative juices flowing after such a long semester of brain wringing!  

Au Revoir!

stop and stare

Vendella Johanssen for Marie Claire Czech

Almost a week of yoga and I am slowly becoming more cognizant of my mind and body . . . I notice these storms of anxiety that clouds my mind or natural waves of worriness that overwhelms my body every time I hit some sort of roadblock in my studying.  I keep feeling there's not enough time or I'm going to succumb to failure . . . I've only been studying for 3 hours and I already need a break . . . I stumbled across this short clip (below) and it helped me put things into perspective.  I forget that finals is merely just that, a series of exams.  Important, but not enough to destroy today, Friday December 9, 2011.  I will pace myself for the next 6 hours.             

"I never thought it was such a bad little tree. It's not bad at all, really. Maybe it just needs a little love."

A couple nights ago, the BF and I went around looking for a mini Christmas tree for our little apartment.  I have always loved Christmas and, throughout my childhood, was always the one pestering my Dad or older sister to get a tree or put up the lights around the house.  So this year was no different, just a different person to whine to, a smaller budget and a smaller place.  After circling town for a Christmas tree farm, we finally arrived at a local tree lot.  I immediately asked a worker what the smallest size tree they had.  He walked us through a jungle of trees and over to an empty spot with a lonely looking 4 feet tall tree, and said that's the last one.  He left while we stood there staring at it.  It was tipped over and had about what seemed to be 5 inches of a naked neck.  The last one, huh. . . I wonder why. . . Charlie Brown's tree flashed through my head and I then made the executive decision (over a nonchalant BF who really didn't care- for Christmas for that matter!) that this would be THE ONE!  I immediately decorated it when we brought it home and finally topped it with a Star today.


Another 9 hours of studying has passed.  Time for an hour of yoga to destress.  Then making dinner and hanging out with the BF the rest of the night.  Just because it's finals period doesn't have to mean I have to be depressed in my books.
Love,
Nat

                                                

yoga

via Pinterest

After 9 hours of sitting at my desk and stressing over finals today, I took a breather and tried out my new Yoga DVD that came in the mail earlier today.  I laid out my yoga mat in front of the TV, closed the curtains, and turned off all the lights so only the glimmer from the string of Christmas lights wrapped around our cute 4 ft noble fir modestly lit up the room.  As I started with the sun salutation pose and paid close attention to my breathing, I started to inhale the aroma of pine and felt the warmth of Christmas sink deep into my core.  The stress in my body slowly evaporated from my heart. . .

Ahhh. . . this is my Ashram.  

Study time. . .

Convenient study space (courtesy of the BF)

Project Happiness: Exercise

Chapter 1: Boost Energy

Goal: Find a daily exercise regimen I enjoy 

Lately, I've noticed my diet consists of a lot of binge snacking, unhealthy big meals, and wine and beer drinking after a long day, resulting in weight gain, resulting in lack of energy, resulting in moodiness.    

So yesterday I decided to work out to the 20 minute Jillian Michael's DVD, starting all over at Level 1 (mind you I had already progress to Level 2 months ago).  After 5 minutes, I wanted to quit.  I realized aerobics or anything that involves intense movement is not for me.  I managed to push myself through it, but this was not going to be a routine I can naturally build into my schedule.  I just dreaded it too much.  Bikram Yoga is too far of a drive, too expensive, and I was just too out of shape to withstand the heat.  So I ordered a Yoga DVD on Amazon to arrive Monday.  We'll give that a test drive.     

Every Saturday morning the BF and I would laze around and eat breakfast and then watch HGTV until I fall asleep again or until I feel ready to go into the office and study the day away.  Today, I decided that we take advantage of living near the beach and near downtown and take a walk to have breakfast.  It was so nice!  We walked 2.25 miles and stopped by a Jamba Juice to take a shot of wheat grass (because it's supposed to be a good form of detox or something) and then ate outdoors at La Creperie.  We walked back another 2.25 miles and here I am enjoying my nice cup of homemade espresso latte to study the rest of the day.  We've decided to make this part of our routine!

Long Beach @ 10am

2 shots of wheat grass

Perfected the art of espresso making

It's a start :)

rule of a lady

via weheartit.com

Corporate Attire

Why, this is my Casual Friday
Marloes Horst for Jalouse 2011

"When women are in flats, and they say, ‘I’m comfortable,’
I say they need to man up and put on a pair of 4-inch heels, 

nothing gives you more respect."

"Fashion is really all about showing your personality and having fun with it. 

People that wear practical shoes, an ill-fitting blazer, 

who told you that you have to wear that?"

-Amy Smilovic of Tibi

My internship has recently ended, but did I ever mention that every day I went to work I always had on a cute outfit and 4 inch (if not 5 inch) heels?  Women in the office took business casual to a whole different level of boring.  Most of them were dressed in sloppy slacks, plain Jane tops and not-so-chic flats.  For that reason, I always felt like I stood out - in a good or bad way through the eyes of these women, I don't know.  (Although I did get an anonymous complaint to my supervisor that my casual Friday skirts might be too short. . . hmph)  What I do know, is that I felt good about myself - my ability to work with these people on an intellectual level but also my ability to embrace my youth and uniqueness on a fashionable level.  I'm eventually going to get trapped in the boring, old world of tax law, but what I do in my career should not define or dress me.  Like I had said at the debut of my blog- my goal is to merge both worlds of fashion and intelligence together.  I understand now how that's supposed to happen:  Dress like I'm the CEO of Net-a-Porter, but work like I'm the Partner of a Big 4.       

Smilovic article via http://www.forbes.com/sites/leahbourne/2011/11/29/work-style-with-tibis-amy-smilovic/