Strawberry Shortcake

A little dose of designers :)

2010-12-15T00:00:00.000-08:00

Dear Readers,

So I probably should have done a post solely dedicated to the new collection at H&M that features Lanvin but I didn't. Well I've I've been thinking, what the hell is wrong with me? I guess the only reason why I didn't want to do it was because everyone has already done it. So I've decided not to do it. Not that I'm not obsessing over Lanvin right now because I am. It's mainly all I talk about despite the fact that I didn't include it in my "To die for" Tuesday. Even though I'm just starting out in the blog scene and I'm still an amateur, I've decided to not be like everyone else and just do things the way I want. After all, it is my blog and no one else's correct?

Good, glad we got that situated. So instead of doing another poet about Lanvin, I've decided to do one about two designers I'm obsessing over with right now. Some of you may not be very familiar with their names but that'll soon change. They just had their Spring 2011 shows in paris and I'm sure they were the talk of the city. Their pieces are both sweet and sophisticated but with a bit of edge to them. The first designer or I should say designers are named Johnny Talbot and Adrian Runhof. They both come from different parts of the world, Johnny being from Nashville, TN and Adrian from Munich, Germany. But it was fashion that brought the two together in college where they met. Their pieces are cunning but maintain a sense of sophistication to them. They were named "ones to watch" by WWD in Paris after their 09/10 fall and winter collection. I'm so excited to see what they come up with next as I'm sure it will be as magical as the rest of their collections.

The next designer is Cacharel. It was created by Jean Bousquet in the mid 60's when one of Jean's fitted and printed shirts for woman became known as 'fashion". Now the company is being run by the New Creative Director, Cedric Charlier. The collections are somewhat girly and flirty with a ton of floral patterns. I'm absolutely in love with these pieces and can't wait for their next collections. These designers are too brilliant for words and I'm sure we're to see their pieces on everyone in the future. Before you know it, Cacharel and Talbot Runhof will be just as famous as Chanel and Prada. I look forward to that day!

Cacharel

Talbot Runhof

"To die for" Tuesday

2010-12-14T14:03:00.000-08:00

Dear Readers,
I've got an amazing idea, among others. I've decided that on Tuesdays I'll be listing some of the things that I'm obsessed with at the moment. In other words, things that I think are "to die for"at the. Hence the name "to die for" Tuesdays. So I've posted the pics below along with a brief description why I'm obsessing over it. Hope you like!!

1. Sam Edelman Spiked Heels
Now this is one of my favorites right now. I'm absolutely in love with theses heels and literally have it as my background to my laptop. I love the fact that it's over the edge but it still keeps a feminine vibe to it. Now they may not be the heels you wear to church but they're definitely the heels to wear right now. Number one on my Christmas list!

3. Vivi Randozzo Silver Leaf Headpiece
I have been beyond obsessed with Vivi Randazzo's headpieces ever since I saw them on Champagne and Marshmallows. Especially this piece which I wear with almost everything. Thats the thing I love about her pieces. They're subtle but with a bit of an angelic edge to them so you can wear them with practically anything. The whole hippie/rock-star look is definitely one of my many favorite trends and this is definitely a key piece to pull it off. Check out Vivi's many other headpieces at www.ViviRandazzo.com
FYI, that's not me up top, it's the model.

4. Chloe Sevigny for Open Ceremony Leopard Cardi

This cardi is "to die for". I'm head over heels in love with it at the moment which probably means somewhere in the next month or so, I'll be completely sick of it. Until then, it's my go to cardigan. I feel when it comes to leopard prints you have to be subtle or else you'll just come out looking trashy and skanky. So my theory is to just wear one thing that's leopard and one thing only. Such as a hat, stockings, scarf, or a cute cardi like this one. I wear mine with a white tank, bandage skirt and knee highs. Maybe I'll choose this for the this weeks Two-Way Friday, we'll see.

4. Forever Twenty-One Rings
I've always been in love with Forever Twenty-One's jewlery and their rings are no exception. I love the fact how all of their pieces look completely vintage, as if I just bought them at a vintage shop. Plus they come at such an amazing price. I bought four beautiful rings for only $10. DEAL ALERT!! I wear theses with everything and it's safe to say, I'm absolutely obsessed!

5. Leather Shorts
I'm seeing these on everyone lately and I'm adoring them. I especially love the ones I bought at ASOS to the left. I love how it's sweet with an edge. They're definitely a key piece to pulling off an edgy look. I usually wear mine with tights but if you want to pull off a sexy look, you can wear them without or with knee highs. Can you say OBSESSED?? :)

Hope you liked!!
-Andy :)

Orange tights and a pink tutu :)

2010-12-13T15:14:00.000-08:00

Dear Readers,

It's not secret that I'm pretty much obsessed with fashion. If it is then clearly you don't know me very well. Fashion is like my bread and butter. The ying to my yang. Some people have hobbies, I have fashion. Ever since I was little putting together the right outfit was important. Take 1st grade picture day for example. I just had to be the most stylish 1st grader on the block. With my orange tights paired with a pink tutu and a leather jacket to finish it all off. Of course I even had my hello kitty backpack with me which pulled together the whole outfit. I'm not joking here people, It's what I honestly wore. Thankfully my style has evolved into something a bit more elegant, than Hello Kitty. Nevertheless, fashion is my life. I plan to finish The Arts Institute and intern at one of the best fashion magazines today. Yes, I'm a bit ambitious but it's better than being lazy. With fashion there comes fashion blogs which is the selected topic of today's post. I cannot begin to explain how elated with joy I am that someone came up with this brilliant idea. I mean anyone with a camera a brain can simply come up with a fashion blog but I think it takes much more than that.
Yes, it takes a little something more than just a camera and a brain to come up with a fashion blog. For one, you have to have an unique and tasteful idea of what your planning to blog. Or else everyone would have a blog describing their fashion takes and to be honest, let's thank God that's not the case. Because fashion isn't just something that you wake up one morning having knowledge about. Unless you hire a stylish then that's a different story. I always thought it was a gift that some people poses and other's simply don't. Terrifying right?

Being born without a fashion sense. It's not uncommon though, I've seen the fanny pack worn every now and then. But on a serious note, fashion blogs are the biggest new crave on the internet since YouTube. Or maybe that's just my perspective. Either way though, it seems as if you can't turn a page in a fashion magazine without hearing a thing or two about a new blogger who's decided to become a fashion blogger. Whether you're a boy or girl, it doesn't matter because I feel as though as long as you know what your typing about, go ahead and type. Fashion blogs the newest accessory on the internet. I honestly think they're giving stylists a run for their money because why pay for one when you can just go online and visit Rumi Neely's blog or even Erika Marie's? Maybe that's a but dramatic because whether they're people that can't dress, stylists will be there to save the day. So don't worry stylists, you're safe. Nope, I don't think stylists are going anywhere and from the looks of it, neither are fashion blogs. I think it's safe to say that like ballet flats, fashion blogs will always be in style.
P.S I've listed some of the fashion blogs that I follow, they're absolutely to die for!!

Fashiontoast/Rumi Neely

FashionChalet/Erika Marie

Bryanboy/Bryan Grey-Yambao

Champagne and Marshmallows

-Andy :)

I want your ideas!! :)

2010-12-12T21:23:00.000-08:00

Dear Readers,
I've been getting a lot of emails from some of you guys telling me how much you loved the Two-Way Friday! I'm so glad to hear it and it's a bit reassuring to know that there are people out there who actually read my blog. All seriousness, thanks! Now I'm sure you've picked up on the fact that I love making lists. Whether it's making lists of my favorite music or fashion trends, I love making them. I even make lists in the real world as well. It drives my friends and family crazy. You would think having an organized child would make some parents happy, not mine. I guess we're a unique family, to say the least. Well seeing as how my blog can't be about list's 24/7, I've decided to devote one day to posting a new list. I haven't decided which day it'll be which is why I need your help. I want you to send me tweets or emails telling me which day you'd prefer me to make a lists. I'm sort of leaning towards Mondays seeing as how it's the beginning of the week and that would be a fun way to start it off. The lists will range from everything to my favorite music, books and clothing I'm into at the moment. Also feel free to tell me what sort of lists you'd like me to write about. As much fun as talking about my fave music, books and clothing is, I want something more original. So feel free to email me your ideas! Hope you all had a great weekend and look forward to hearing about all your amazing thoughts.

P.S A lot of you are asking why I go by the name of Andy when my name is Sandra. Well a lot of people call me Sandy which I can't stand. I absolutely loathed the nickname. So one night while my best friend and I were wasted he asked me why not I drop the S in Sandy and just go by Andy? So ever since then he's been calling me Andy and it's just caught on so most of my friends call me Andy now. And that's my friends why I go by the name Andy.

-Andy :)

Torn between two cities :)

2010-12-12T13:29:00.000-08:00

Dear Readers,

I can not wait for Christmas! I've been tweeting, talking (incisively), and you can even catch me singing a Christmas tune every now and then. It's that one time of year when everyone just seems nicer, sweeter, and cheerier. Since I love in the city it's only better because there's just something about living in the city during the holidays. I don't what it is but everything just seems magical. Despite the honking of loud car horns or the extra pollution in the air, the city seems a bit brighter during Christmas. I've lived in D.C my whole life that I find it unbearable to live anywhere else, except New York. New York and D.C will always have my heart, I guess I'm just torn between the two. I remember when I was younger my mother would always treat me to a hot dog while we'd visit a museum or two. There's so much culture in D.C that you find it hard not to fall head over heels for it. Especially if you're going to take a trip down to U street. Oh my gosh it's my favorite. A little bit over ten years ago it wasn't the best neighborhood to live in or even visit but if you visit now, you'll be pleasantly surprised. It has turned into one of D.C's best kept secrets. Whether it's getting a bite to eat at Ben's Chili Bowl or even spending the day at Meridian Hill Park (one of my favorite places in the world), you'll never want to live anywhere else.
Or when the holidays roll into town you're definitely going to find me in Old Town Alexandria. You can see the brightness from all the Christmas lights from miles away. I personally love to just chill in one of of the gazebos that sits on the water overlooking the National Harbor. Plus during the summer there's this "to die for" crab shack that's also on the harbor. So you can get a bucket of shrimp and sit by the water, it's absolute heaven. Now I don't think I'd be a true Washingtonian if I didn't spend a bunch of my time in Georgetown!

Yes, Georgetown or "Georgie" as my best friend likes to call it. not only is the shopping fabulous but the night life isn't bad either. Georgetown probably has one of the best club scenes ever. My besties and I have spent numerous Saturday nights at the L 2 Lounge and should set up camp outside of the 9:30 club since we've gone there two many times to listen to amazing bands. D.C has much more to offer than just a huge statue that resembles a sharp pencil or even the address of or country's leader. Nope, D.C is much more than that. D.C is the comfort for all things sad. It's one of the best places to live and if you don't already live here, I honestly don't know what you're waiting for. I am beyond happy that many years ago my mother decided to move from Texas to D.C and settle down. Of course I was born four years later and grew up to be incredibly fond of D.C. While some people may be skeptical and tired of the places they live. I've been blessed to have been born in a place where I have no intentions of leaving. I've been so lucky to have been born in a place that I will and always hold near and dear to my heart. Not only has D.C captured my heart but it's swallowed it up completely. I'm so happy to call the wonderful state that goes by the name

of D.C, my home!

-Andy :)

Two-Way Friday :)

2010-12-10T16:14:00.000-08:00

Dear Lovers,
I've recently been on prowl for that perfect grandpa sweater but have no luck funding one. I've literally searched high and low, vintage store after vintage store and have come up empty handed. I honestly think a big and baggy grandpa sweater is a huge key piece for a perfect wardrobe. You can wear with anything day or night. I mean I have like a hundred cardigans but none that are what I've been looking for. You know the one that has elbow patches and is really slouchy? Well that's the one I had in mind and I have yet to find it. Well anyways I wanted to try something new. I've decided to come up with one key piece such as a sequined blazer or even a pair of jeans and make two outfits. One for day and one for night. I'll try and make the one key piece a day outfit and the other a night outfit and I've decided to do this at the end of every week. I know it's probably been done before but not in my way. So I thought I'd add a little of my own flavor to spice it up. I'm going to call it Two-Way Fridays. So our first Two-Way Friday is going to involve a grandpa sweater. I've found an adorable cardigan at Old Navy which I just had to get the moment I saw it, among several things. I got the cardigan in both grey and black. I've decided to use the grey one but you can use the black one if you like. I hope you enjoy the two outfits I've put together and may they inspire you come up with your own!

The Main Event, The Cardigan!

I loved the fact that this sweater pulls of a huge trend right now (sequins) but in such a low-key way. I always find it hard to pull this look off without overdoing with the sequins. So when I found this, it was perfect. I think if you want to pull of this trend, you have to be subtle with it. Like if you're going to sequins try and do it with accessorizing. You could wear a sequined beanie, necklace or even bangles. Cause you don't want to end up looking like a disco ball because you over did it with the sequins.

Day Look!

For this look I've decided to pair the cardigan with a tweed bubble skirt and since this is a day outfit and not a night one, you must wear tights. You don't want to freeze your ass off do you? Didn't think so. I've posted the tights I wore with this outfit on the bottom. I also wore this exact headband with the outfit. Recently I was bored online and everybody knows that can never be good. Well luckily for me, it lead to this awesome website that specializes in jeweled headbands. They also specialize in a ton of accessories such as necklaces and bracelets. I'll post the website on the bottom if you want to check it out. Now as for what I wore under the cardigan, I decided to go with

a sheer white tank top from American Apparel. I absolutely love going there for my basics such as tights and tank tops. For shoes I wore these gorge wedged ankle boots that I bought at vintage store in Georgetown. Since my camera is a wreck right now I'll try and post a picture of the shoes when my camera is feeling better. As for what I did with my hair I just wore in down in loose waves along with the headband.

Night Look!

Now for the night look I decided to pair the cardigan with sequined leggings I bought in summer at H&M. I fell absolutely in love when I first laid eyes on these leggings, they're completely gorge. Then I decided to finish the look with some simple grey pumps from Forever Twenty-One. I find myself in awe with the heels at Forever Twenty-One. At first I was skeptical because gorge shoes for such a low price can only mean they're really cheap. So I decided to take a chance and buy a pair and once I did, it was the best decision I ever made. They're incredibly comfortable and surprisingly are good quality. I bought a pair two years ago that are incredibly beautiful and they still look brand new. Plus they have so many amazing pairs that it's hard not to pick up twenty and head straight to the register. As for a shirt to go on the

bottom, I decided to just wear a simple blue tank top from Forever Twenty-One. I found that the blue looked really well with the grey and black. It was really pretty and added a pop of color to such as simple but sexy outfit. I also rolled up the sleeves of the cardigan a bit. Now at first I was contemplating on wearing a sequined mini instead of the leggings but since I live in D.C, the weather wasn't really agreeing. So I decided to go with this instead and I'm happy that I did. As for my hair, I just put into a loose low bun and teased the roots for a bit of volume. I also added my mother's Swarovski Crystal bib necklace with this.

Hope you liked!!
-Andy :)

Someday my prince will come :)

2010-12-06T21:26:00.000-08:00

Dear readers,

It seems that I'm loosing faith in something that couldn't possibly exist. How could I have faith in something if it doesn't exist you ask? Well like I said before, I'm a romantic. It wasn't always this way. You see, I used to be one of the biggest cynics out there. Then I thought what's the fun in being a cynic? Surely there has to be something out there. Something more than just second best right? It's a beautiful idea but at times I find myself believing that maybe that's all there is out there, second best. Maybe there isn't anything more. Maybe we just have to settle for what's out there but what's the fun in that. Sometimes I wish I could jump into a timeline and switch places with Elizabeth Bennett or Catherine Moreland.
Okay, so maybe I've been watching way to many BBC movies but a girl can dream. Why can't it be roses all the time instead of daises? Everyone keeps saying it's a fantasy but I refuse to believe it. I refuse to believe that all we're going to get are sex driven men who pick there noses and whip it under the table. Because despite not finding my Mr. Darcy or Mr. Tilney doesn't mean they don't exist.
Well they actual don't exist, they're just fiction characters in Jane Austen's many books. But that doesn't mean that they're are men similar to them out there, right?
Right! I believe that there are and just because I haven't crossed paths with them doesn't mean they're not out there, living and breathing. Okay I've literally been watching and reading way too much Austen. Maybe I should switch to Tarantino or Dickens. Anyways this post wasn't supposed to be about me going on about my love life. It was supposed to be an inspirational post. Basically saying that just because you haven't find what you're looking for doesn't mean it's not out there. Whether it's friendship, work, or even love. Don't give up hope just because life isn't going your way. You know the saying "everything comes to those who wait"?
Well I believe in that saying with all my heart and so should you. A couple of months ago I was jobless and living with my mother and 19. Well I kept saying to myself over and over, "something will come along" and surely enough, something did. I later got a job that was paying 20 dollars and hour for 50 hours a week.
So now I'm looking at some amazing apartments that I can finally afford, in an amazing nrighborhood. Now I'm not going to lie. There were times when I was ready to give up but I didn't. Instead I just kept on treading water until a boat came along and saved me and one eventually did.
Now, I don't want to go all Oprah on you but despite everything not working out, I didn't loose hope and I guess that's what I'm trying to say. You just have to keep treading water because eventually a boat will come along. Now it may not be a cruise ship or even a yacht but at least you're dry and didn't drown. Now that's sort of a morbid way to look at it, or sounded better in my head.
Oh well, just remember that life comes with all sorts of surprises, some big and some small. You just have to learn how to accept them the way they are. Huh, looks like maybe I need to take my own advice.

-Andy :)

BBC romance anyone?

2010-12-06T02:50:00.000-08:00

So recently I've been watching a bunch of british romance movies. Now I love romance films regardless but there's just something magical about a british romantic film. I don't I feel they just do romance better than anyone else. Visiting the U.K is definitely on my "to-do" list. Anyways so back to what I was talking about, I get side-tracked a lot. Like I was saying, I absolutely love british romance films. This weekend I literally just sat in the house with the fire going and watched a whole bunch of them. Every single Jane Austen adaptation, Hugh Grant, Colin Firth movie was watched and after that, I still wanted more. Like I said before, there is something magic about these films. When you watch them you feel as if anything can happen. Like you'll visit a coffee shop and suddenly you'll bump into the most gorge guy ever. Or even that Hugh Grant himself will knock on your door. Okay so maybe that last one was a bit over the top but that's how one feels after watching theses films and only have I been watching the films. I've also been reading the books as well. I'm becoming the biggest romantic ever. But in a way I kind of like it. Especially when the holidays are so close. To bad I'm recently single, oh well. At least I have Colin, Hugh and Robert.
Mmmm...Robert Pattinson.
Okay getting side tracked once again. So anyways I've made a list of my favorite british romance movies that every romantic should see. I'm absolutely sure that these films will turn the biggest cynic into a romantic.

1. Pride and Prejudice (2005 and 1995)

2. Sense and Sensibility (1995 and 2008)
3. Notting Hill
4. Northhanger Abbey (2007)
5. North &South (ROMANTIC)
6. Lost in Austen
7. Emma (2009)
8. Mansfield Park (1999 and 2007)
9. Angus, Thongs, and Perfect Snogging
10. Under The Greenwood Tree
11. Persuasion (2007)
12. Little Dorrit (2008)
13. I Capture The Castle

Those are my absolute favorite. I you like them as much as I did. What am I talking about, you'll love them.

-Andy :)

It's a bit late for Thanksgiving but give thanks anyways :)

2010-12-05T00:23:00.000-08:00

Sometimes you start to wonder if you'll ever be able to get the things you desire. You start to believe that you don't deserve them thus you'll never be able to have it. Of course I'm not just talking about materialistic things. I'm talking talking about a 32" in flat screen or even Rumi Neely's entire wardrobe.
Nope, I'm talking about something entirely different. I'm pretty sure you can guess what that is. It's the thing that makes us feel all warm inside. The thing that keeps us going because we have something to go on for. The thing that makes every single day wort wild, because you have something to live for. Or should I say someone to live for. I've seen people become so lucky because they have found that. For a friend of mine, she is not so lucky. It's sad to see her like that because she's so smart and talented. She has so much to be thankful for but that's not the way she sees it. She thinks that she'll never be able to find that something that she's looking for. I know that's not true because someone would have to be an idiot to not want to spend the rest of their lives with her. I just wish she could see it that way. I know that sometimes the world may not work out the way we want it to at first but if you just give it a little time, it can surprise you in ways you'd never thought possible. So what if we don't always get what we want. Just think that somewhere in the world someone is starving or doesn't have a place to live. Sometimes we just have to stop and look at the things we have. To be honest, those are the things that matter most. You may not have the love of some gorgeous guy or that amazing studio apartment on U Street.
So what.
At least you have good health and family and friends that love you. Cause in the end that's all that matters, nothing else.

-Andy :)

Se Magnifique!

2010-11-29T18:07:00.000-08:00

So recently I've been loving the whole French inspired clothing. If it's French and polished you can be positive that I'm wearing it. So I've decided to make a list of a couple items that I think are the key pieces in order to pull this look off. These pieces will surely want to make you hop on a plane a fly to Paris. Hope you like!!

The Beret Hat
Of course it wouldn't be French Chic if you didn't have a Beret. This instantly makes any outfit look french. You'll literally look as though you've just walked off the runway in Paris. Now if you don't want to wear an actual french Beret you can go with one that's a little slouchy like the one on the left. This one comes with a bow and it's a bit more modern. Either one you pick, you'll look fabulous and ready for a trip to Paris. San Diego Hat Company $25.50

The Quilted Messenger Bag
I honestly think this a key piece you need to pull this look off. You can wear it in whatever color you want and it's makes any outfit look polished. I have this exact version in black and cream. Forever21 $20.80

Ballet Flats
This look definetly pulls the whole French Chic look together. Whether you're wearing them to work or just running errands, they instantly make you look like you just got off a plane from Paris. I have these in black and white but if you want to add a little spice to the look then purple and black will do.
Target $36.99

The Garter Sweater
This is a perfect example of effortless chic. If you're trying to pull off the French chic look or not, every girl should have a sweater like this in their closet. It's perfect for going out or just staying in. You can wear it with black leggings and red pumps or if it's long enough you can even wear it with stockings. Just make sure if you decided to wear it with stockings, make sure it's at least 10 inches over you're butt. This exact version in from Old Navy but I got it last year so I'm pretty sure it's not in stock anymore.

Red Lip-Stick
I think this color is chic whether or not you're trying to look French chic or not. I usually like to wear mine a little closer towards the berry side but regardless any red you choose, you'll definitely make heads turn. I like NARS in Fire Down Below also try Maybeilline in Red Revival.
NARS in Fire Down Below $24.50 Sephora
Maybeilline $7.50 CVS

The Trench Coat
It should really be called "The French Coat' seeing as how french it looks when you wear it. This is the last item on my list of French Inspired looks. It is perfect for day or night and it's effortless chic. You cab wear it with basically anything except sweats, God forbid you'd humiliate this coat by wearing it with UGG boots as well. I usually wear mine when I'm going out to dinner or a special occasion. I usually wear an "above the thigh" version when I'm just running errands or hanging out with friends. I have them in almost every color but if you're trying to pull of the French Chic look then it's best it you find a color in cream or nude. Forever21 $37.80

Hope you find this helpful and hope it makes you look fabu!!

-Andy :)

Turn that frown upside down :)

2010-11-29T16:25:00.000-08:00

So recently my life has been a mix of complications. There has literally been complication after complication and as emo as it sounds, it's all been bringing me down. My favorite holiday, Christmas, is just around the corner and not even that can put a smile on my face. Okay well maybe it puts a small grin on my face, it is Christmas after all. Anyways so I was wondering what I could do to make me feel a bit better and behold, an idea popped into my head. That idea was to head to the one man that could maybe actually help. Yes ladies and gents, I decided to head to church. Now church and I haven't been friends in awhile. Not only church but the big man himself. I haven't prayed in awhile and haven't stepped foot in a church in about a few years too. So even thought I tried everything to help me feel a bit cheerier, nothing helped. So I thought what could going to church hurt? I called up my Godmother who attends church every Sunday, and asked her if she would mind if I tagged along with her. Of course the excitement along with the surprise in her voice was enough to make me wonder if the woman was experiencing a miracle. I mean it's not like I was the anti-Christ for crying out loud. Anyways so she agreed to let me tag along. So then came the actual Sunday and I'd be lying if I said I wasn't nervous. She picked me and my mom up along, lets face it, my mother needed church more than I did. So she picked us both up and we all headed to church together. It seemed as soon as we headed inside people were staring at me from head to toe. Maybe it was the amazing outfit I was wearing or maybe it was just the fact that they hadn't seen me in years. After all I did used to attend church every Sunday and even sing in the choir. So it wasn't until a few minutes after the horrified glares that people started to approach me. There were a few squeals and a lot of gasps. "Oh my is that Sandra"? "Darling how are you"? "How have you been it's been forever"? It seems that almost everyone recognized me, despite the double takes. I must of hugged hundreds of people, some I remembered and some I pretended to. I even recognized a girl who I used to be great friends with. Her and her mother decided that they would sit with us during the service. I didn't object seeing as how I was in church and if I started to act up, I might just get a bucket of holy water dumped on me. So once all the hugs were exchanged and the smiles faded, my mother and my godmother headed inside for the service. Once we were inside and the service started, I recognized a certain pastor. She helped me when I was going through a tough time when I was younger. I was so excited to see her and after the service I decided to say hello. At first she didn't recognized me then after a couple of seconds passed a huge grin spread across her face. She pulled me in for a tight hug and smiled even wider. She asked me how I was and what I was doing. The question stunned me because even though I had a good job and was going to a good school, I was almost sad. I had seen many people accomplish the things they set out to do and were extremely happy doing it but was I? I told her where I was going to school and where I was working and she smiled.
"I'm so happy to hear that Sandra" she said
There was once a time in my life when things weren't so good and I was going through a lot of crap and she helped me though it. So why was I lying to her and telling her things were okay when they weren't? I decided that it was the time to get into specifics with her but that I would tell her privately when we had the time. She pulled me in for another hug and smiled once again. I brushed through a couple more people who smiled at me and waved. Some I knew and some who looked like complete strangers. Things had changed so much since the last time I stepped foot into this church. I looked around at the girls and boys who looked like they were about my age. They were all laughing and smiling in a huge group. I couldn't help but feel an empty feeling inside. Maybe if I had stuck with going to church every Sunday and attended Sunday school, I would have turned out differently. Maybe if I had continued having little sessions with pastor B, I wouldn't be the person I am now. In a way I feel as though I missed out. I can't change the past but I do have an impact on my future I thought. There is nothing wrong with the person I've become and to be honest, I'm proud of the person I've become. I'm a strong, wise and funny person and I wouldn't change a thing. Yes, there may be a few things I wish I could have changed but then I wouldn't have learned from my mistakes. Therefore I wouldn't have become the person I am today and I'm happy of that person, nobody's perfect. My godmother had told me about an old friend's husband who had developed Parkinson's Disease awhile back. When I saw him standing right then and there in the middle of the room my heart just dropped. He didn't look like the man I used to know. He looked very tired and frail. I immediately got up and made my way over towards him. He recognized me and gave his hand out to shake. Instead I pulled him in for a hug. His back was all wet from sweat and I could feel him as he shook. I whipped a tear away from my eye, that's the last thing I wanted him to see. Right then and there I realized something. There were other people who had it way worse than I did and here I am complaining about my life. After I was done catching up with him it was time to go. I had talked to so many people and gave out so many hugs. At the end of the day despite all the smiling, I felt a bit better. I felt as though anything was possible, I guess that's the advantage when you go to church, you feel as though a miracle could happen right before your eyes. Getting in touch with old friends and listing to a beautiful service was just what I needed, who would have thought?

-Andy :)

Vintage My A**

2010-11-27T19:17:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone, Happy Saturday!!

Okay so today I went vintage shopping with my mother hoping to find some timeless clothing for an amazing price. Little did I know I was in for a very pricey awakening. The first place we visited was off of 16th Street on U street which will remain nameless, most of the vintage places are all located there. Anyways so I walk into the store hoping to walk out with a new wardrobe for the cost of nothing, it didn't exactly go down like that. So I'm in the store searching the racks hoping to find something wicked and it would be a lie if I said I didn't exactly find anything gorge because I did. That was until I looked at the price tag and almost had a heart attack at 19. I mean it was like this with every single piece of fabric I touched. I mean I thought that vintage things were supposed to be cheap, thats the whole point of making it vintage. So I left the store with nothing but an empty feeling in my stomach. Not only because I was hungry but because my search for amazing vintage clothing for less wasn't going to well. So my mother and I headed to the next vintage shop on the block. This one was even worse than the first one. Not only were the prices high but the clothing was horrible. I mean I'm talking shoulder pads for the price of $70 here, I know...scary. It wasn't a total waste of time because my mother ended up buying some beautiful jewelry which I will be borrowing. Well it was like this for the next three stores except for the last one.

This one was actually next to the first one we visited but we passed it because we thought it was closed. They had amazing jewelry and shoes for a reasonable price. They also had jewelry and clothing that was made by local artists. It was like a little hidden wonder that I was lucky to encounter. Plus the employees were incredibly nice and sincere, not to mention helpful. Theses girls knew what they were talking about. I also wished I could steal the clothes that were on their backs because to be honest, they were rocking their styles. Anyways even though the day ended up being a total dud, at the end of the day I felt a bit better than I did at the beginning. Plus I got to spend some quality time with my mom which I haven't done in awhile. Anyways here are some tips when you go vintage shopping.

*Make sure the prices are reasonable because you could buy something that's new and as beautiful at a store like Forever21 or H&M.

*Check the quality of the piece of fabric you have in mind. It may be cheap but it also may be cheap for a reason. Also it goes the same if something is a brand name and expensive but it's in horrible condition.

*Know what you want before you go into a vintage store because trust me, it can be overwhelming to see
a lot of brand names at a great price. Just make sure you need it because you'll end up buying the whole store.

*Make sure jewelry is real before you go and spend $100 on something that looks like it's gold. A lot of vintage places will try and trick people into thinking that their jewelry is real when in reality, you could buy
the exact same thing at Claires.

Hope you found this helpful!!

-Andy :)

Do You Dream About Me?

2010-11-26T22:53:00.000-08:00

Okay so this is my official entry, the other was a little warm up. So lately I've been having dreams of my ex. Let me tell a bit about him. He's basically the all american wonder boy. The one that makes my heart skip a thousand beats and my legs go all shaky, yeah that;s the one. So I'm sure you're wondering why we broke up right? Well I guess things just weren't the same as they were when we first met. Basically the fire that was once was burning strong, burned out. Anyways I've been dreaming about him lately and it's making me think of old times and these emotions that I used to have are starting to resurface. It's not that I want him back I just think whenever I have a dream about someone it sort of sticks with me for weeks, sometimes even months. I don't know why that is but it's always been this way. I mean I could be dreaming about someone worse and have them in my head for months. So I guess complaining is something I shouldn't be doing right now. It's just it brings up all these memories that I buried deep down. Not that they were bad but lets just say all of them weren't fairy tales. Anyways he has a girlfriend now and giving him a call wouldn't be the smartest idea I've had. I guess I should wait it out and just go about my day and try to ignore it. Even though his gorgeous face keeps replaying in my mind like a bad pop song. Hopefully I don't have another dream about him because that would just delay him in my brain further, not good.

-Andy :)

1st entry!!

2010-11-26T22:35:00.000-08:00

Hello!
This is my very first blog entry and I'm stoked! Let me just tell you from the get go what this blog is going to be about, whatever the hell I want to put on it! From my fave fashion trends at the moment to my fave music. It's also going to be about me basically. I'll write little entries as well, sort of like a journal entries. I'll write what's on my mind and how I'm feeling at the moment. I hope you enjoy it and if you don't, well that's your loss.

-Andy :)