Spring Lust List

Ah the birds are tweeting, the wind is breezing and the people are smiling. To think that just last week we had three snowstorms. New York City has to be bipolar. Regardless of that fact, this weather has me in a happy, cheerful mood. I feel so, so...springy. I don't know if that's a word. But in my dictionary:

 Springy /ˈspriNGē/ adjective to crave all things spring

And for me that obviously starts with clothing and accessories! I couldn't avoid making this list of items I'm lusting this spring.

shoes | bag | blazer | necklace | journal | pants

1. Shoes. One year it was Converses, for two years it was TOMS and now I want Vans. But not any kind of Vans, I want the metallic ones that sparkle under the sun with each step you take.

2. Bag. This metallic azure color just makes me happy, okay? Okay. Being that I attempt to stuff everything I've ever owned in life into my school bags, I think this bag would only be fitting for my weekend travels (as if I actually need anymore bags, so maybe instead it would make a nice 3D masterpiece that I can admire every time I open my closet doors). 

3. Blazer. The amount blazers I have in my closet (some yet to be worn) is no joke. But how can I possibly avoid the temptation when blazers have the dazzling effect of dressing up any outfit. And as many blazers as I own, I don't own one in this rose pink color, which will add to my cheerful, springy mood.

4. Necklace. It is on a very rare occasion that you will find me without a bejeweled interlacing chain dangling from my neck. This spring will be no exception and the bigger statement it makes the better.

5. Journal. With college I find very little time for myself, let alone time to even write for my personal enjoyment. During my freshman year of college I kept a journal on my laptop to document my semester. But now I rarely have time to sit down and write in it. This mini journal will make it easier for me to jot down my notes as I simultaneously balance the required task New Yorkers face during rush hour, strap hanging on my way to class.

6. Pants.  I'm usually a denim girl, but I guess not every corporate office would appreciate my powder blue distressed denim jeans. So for professional purposes, pants are a must, but they are also light and more airy. Plus pants can be dressed up or down. Recently, I've also been buying patterned pants. They are so amazing.

hat | coat | passport cover | clutch | jeans | book | duffel bag

7. Hat. What's that? A hat. Crazy, junky, funky hat. I don't think I've ever owned a sunhat. But to think of it I've also never been a hat person. Even during the winter I would try to get away from wearing hats. Why? Because it hid my hair and made me look like a boy, I told my mother. But now I wear hats all the time- regular hats, leather caps, bowler hats and so on. So it's time to add a sunhat to the list.

8. Coat. I wouldn't really consider this a coat, but rather a long cardigan or long blazer. Long cardigans seemed to be a trend this winter. I couldn't put my hands on any particular one that I liked. But I really love the white on this one.

9. Passport Cover. In my Renew, Refresh, Repeat post, I said one of my goals was to travel this summer. In order to do that I have to get my passport ready and stylin' too. This one is obviously way more money than I'd been willing to spend on a passport cover, but it's just an idea of what I'd want. 

10. Clutch. Another one of the things I don't own. I never really understood how useful it would be for me, being that I love to pack on a lot of stuff when I go out. But this holographic clutch is too cute and on trend (not that I follow trends much anyway).

11. Jeans. Nothing wrong with adding more denim in your wardrobe just for the sake of variety. And I simply just love this pair. 

12. Book. My lovely friend gifted me with the fabulous Girl Boss book by Sophia Amoruso, the founder of Nasty Gal. I was so close to finishing the book over winter break, but then college drained all my free time away. Once I finish the few pages left and mediate over them, I want to look through Alexa Chung's It. This book has a lot of mixed reviews, but I'd like to make my own judgement first.

13. Duffel Bag. I love the nautical look. It reminds of me of the water, ships and boats, but most importantly, summer! This would complement my passport cover for travelling purposes or even a girl's night in sleepover.

Spring is not the only thing that has me in a cheerful mood. As you may or may not know, I've hit one hundred followers! I've also been awarded the Liebester Blogger Award from three fellow bloggers. Although this is a smaller achievement on the grander scale of things, I believe it is worth noting. I want to thank everyone for their support. And to celebrate, I will be doing an FAQ and outfit post in one (I know you guys haven’t seen any of my outfits yet). Most of the FAQ questions will come from Liebester questions asked by my three fellow bloggers, but I will also take questions from you! Leave me all your wonders of the world below and I’ll answer them in a post that will come out some time during the spring.   What are you lusting this spring? Also don’t forget to leave me your questions below!

All in my Own Backyard (A Weekend in Review)

Honestly, how much of a backyard can I really have living in NYC? I'd just like to accept the city as my backyard. Beyond the perimeters of my house, I exit into the concrete jungle where a new species of predators approach.
Okay, maybe there are no predators, but there are a lot of strangers (aka celebrities) on my side of the neighborhood. This past weekend was filled with fashion and basketball and at times they both came together for All-Star Weekend & Fashion Week! Sadly, I could only enjoy this from behind TV & computer screens.
Saturday afternoon, I was right outside the Barclays Center taking pictures as people gave me dirty looks assuming that I was going to skip the line and I shot them a stare back. And today I stared longingly as photographers and women dressed fur waited outside a warehouse right by my school for a fashion show to start. It's as if all these events are teasing me. Although I did not have a front row seat to these events, I'd like to share with you my favorite highlights from this past weekend:

Known as one of the most fashionable sport industries, Lebron James and the NBA put on a fashion show where eight basketball players competed strutting their stuff with IMG models such as Chanel Iman by their side. The players which included Jeff Teague, James Harden, Zach LaVine (who you will hear more about later) and JR Smith (so sad to see him leave the Knicks, please don't mention their losing streak, I will always be a loyal fan) showed off different outfits for each of the three rounds.  Kevin Hart and Shaquille O'Neal were also there hosting the show. 

I didn't even know this was a thing until I switched to TNT hoping I wouldn't miss All Star Weekend's Slam Dunk contest. I mean, basketball players strutting the runaway? That was the last thing I was expecting. I didn't tune in on time, but I loved every minute of what I did catch. 

It was even more special when a player near and dear to my heart, representing my home team, the NY Knicks won! I haven't fully accepted the Brooklyn Nets yet, sorry. Although, J.R. Smith is now a Cleveland Cavalier, I'll consider him a Knicks for now. REPRESENT.

This is what followed the All-Star All-Style fashion show this past Saturday. Although, it is a three day event, I usually always miss the celebrity basketball game (on Friday) and I don't care too much for the East v. West game (on Sunday) although I did watch it this year (the West won again sadly). But something I refuse to miss, for sure, is the Slam Dunk Contest and Three Point Contest, which for me is the most entertaining part of All-Star Weekend. If anything, that in itself encompasses what All-Star Weekend is really about, bringing together amazing players for some fun!  

Although I was very hopeful for my African friend, Victor Oladipo, Zach Lavine really grew on me. For one of his performances, in a nod to Michael Jordan's Space Jam movie he did this:

As easy as this looks, you need some serious skills to be able to do this. I mean, I can barely jump 3 inches off the group.
And Steph Curry ahhh, what can I say? I really like him and his family (his wife is Youtuber by the way). Steph Curry is amazing I mean there's a reason Drake mentioned him in his song "0 to 100." Don't believe me? Watch him in the 3-Point Contest:

  If you're not a basketball fan, you may be thinking what's the big deal? Why are the sportscasters yelling? The effect is definitely greater when you watch the whole competition from the beginning and see what each player has to offer and what makes these specific players so significant and talented. 
The half-time show was amazing too. Although I didn't expect anything from Ariana Grande for the half-time show it was good.  

Other than spending my procrastination time staring at basketball players, I was also staring at photos from Fashion Week. There were so many shows and amazing looks (I see you Zac Posen) and amazing street style looks that I can share with you. But over all those shows I think Kanye West collaboration with Adidas and showcase of the Yeezy Season 1 collection is the one that I still remember the most. 

When his collection first made its debut, I didn't know how to feel about it. I was definitely confused being that the models looked barely clothed. I mean I know most runaway looks aren't made ready to wear, but this was a little off for me. Still it wasn't long before the collection grew on me, especially when I saw Kim sport items from the collection. 

Every piece of this outfit is from the Yeezy Season 1 Collection. Kanye has definitely transformed her look from her Paris Hilton wannabe days. I mean did you see her at the Grammy's? Who else can pull off a golden bathrobe like that.

Kanye has definitely brought something different to the table and it's not just in his music (which he's actually getting a best visionary award for soon from BET) but also in his style.

In the spirit of Black History Month & Fashion Week , I had to share this article I recently stumbled upon with you. The fashion industry seems to find a lot of inspiration within the African American culture ranging from music created by artists like Rihanna to even street style and urban culture. African American consumers also have a large buying power. So why is it that very few African Americans have the chance to showcase their designs down the runways of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week? This article tackles just that and it's a really interesting read about something that I would say most people don't really think about or even question, although it is nothing new. What do you think?
So like me, did you spend your weekend procrastinating and watch All-Star Weekend or did you follow Fashion Week? What was your favorite part? Share your thoughts with me in the comments below and let me how your week is going so far.

Currently Craving|| All Things Autumn

We, often take things for granted, until we realize they are gone. I will miss sitting out with her in Central Park enjoying the sweet smell of grass and the rest of urban nature, letting sand sift through my toes and taking my maxi skirts out for a spin. I will especially miss the outfits she helped me decide on especially those hot days.