Thursday ♥'s (and personal musings)

You can never have enough rings...Oversized Shades & a Cup of Coffee seems to agree with me.

I have a serious affinity for personalized jewelry and this piece is perfect, via ellevictoire.

Cheetah is the New Black has a collage of perfect picks for summer.

La Ville Inconnue never ceased to amaze me with her wonderful vintage style.

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ahhh Weird webcam picture I know, but I felt the need to include a thinking photo with this thinking post...anyways...

(I may or may not have been at work while taking this)

I'm in one of those unfortunate, inevitable, absolutely wretched writer's block slumps.

All I can help thinking is why do I blog? There isn't much that makes my blog different from other fashion blogs as much as I wish there was. Developing a voice and a persona is not an easy task and something I'm definitely working on, but at times it just feels so overwhelming. Then again is that something I should even have to try at? 

All I know is that it is time for me to change things up a tad. 

When I feel stuck in a rut I just remind myself 

"Insanity: Doing the same thing over and over and expecting different result."

(Totally thought this was an Einstein quote but apparently its Ben Franklin)

So here's to shaking things up a bit and becoming more inspired again! I've found I find the most joy in what I do when it comes from the heart and I don't try to be something I'm not. 

Seems pretty simple right? 

If you've made it to the end of this I commend you!
What do you when you feel like you are in a blogging rut? Heck what do you do when you are in a LIFE rut?

I'd love to hear your thoughts. :)

Thursday ♥'s

Already time for another Thursday ♥'s??

I had plans for an outfit post and another Style Crush but things fell to the wayside due to another, bigger project that came up. The Spring lookbook for the vintage store I run alongside Sasha (Theodora Vintage) is days, maybe even hours from being ready to post! I'm so incredibly excited about it...we are debuting our first collection of Men's vintage. Brothers, boyfriends, and husbands of the world no longer have to go without the availabilty of some stylish vintage duds.

Anyways, back to this week's round up.

5-6-7-8 Vintage's lookbook is purely lovely.

I wish my cat was as cute as this one from Bonjour Celine.

I will take a good cookie over a cupcake any day. These gingersnaps from Delightful Bitefuls looks divine.

The store over at Clever Nettle is full of pretty new suprises.

Thursday ♥'s

Here it is, another round of gems that I hope you will all love as much as I do!

Thanks to Machine Wash Warm I have fallen in love with the Austrailian brand, Spell.

I will never have to go without sushi ever again thanks to Lace and Coffee's guide.

Ruffles. Buttons. Flowers. The ultimate sundress at Views From my Window.

Pink Bow's contribution to the "Take 10" challenge is pretty beyond words.

If you are a blogger you must enter this contest at Sterling Style! We all need one of these.

Thursday ♥'s

I've been meaning to start this feature for a few weeks now, but for various reasons I was unsuccessful. Anyways, On Thursdays I generally find myself with a nice little chunk of time to browse my favorite blogs so I  thought this would be the perfect way to share what gems I find. I love finding new favorites out of my commenters, I feel so lucky to have such fascinating people happening upon my own blog!

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Here they are! My first Thursday ♥'s

The perfect of series of pastel drenched Spring street style and inspiration courtesy of Fashion Cappuccino.

Breakfast at Saks has the perfect collage of must have's.

Satistfy your wanderlust with dreamy photography by Curious Constelations.

Cocorosa makes me wish for nothing but sunny days in this dreary winter.

And last but not least, how preacous is this stationary featured by Here Comes the Sun.

2011 is here!

Happy New Year everyone!
2010 was hands down the craziest year of my life. I feel like a completely different person going into this year, which makes me quite excited. It's a good change and I'm eager to see where my life will go next!

A couple days ago I jotted down a few resolutions and I'm actually looking forward to keeping them.



I will take the time to be more creative in all aspects of my life. I am going to embrace my inner DIY capabilities and finally sit down and tackle some of the projects I've always dreamed of working on.



I will learn to cook new yummy, healthy recipes. This last year I finally started liking salad, for the first time in all my 18 years as crazy as that sounds. I've always been a bit of a picky eater so hopefully I'll start liking even more new things and be able to cook with them.



I will stay positive and go after the jobs and opportunities I want. Now that I'm not skating anymore I have the time and energy to pursue new things with all of my effort.



I will make a greater effort to be more outgoing and stay in contact with the people that mean the most to me. I have a tendency to be a bit of a wallflower, but it's about time I come out of my shell :)



I will continue to improve my blog and it's content as well as Theodora Vintage. I have a seperate little list of blog resolutions to keep me motivated all year long. :)

Well there you have it. So far so well, the weekend has been a bit quiet and dreary but I spent it giving my room a nice clean up and using the time to sort out my thoughts. Oh and finishing the entire second season of Skins, however my love of that show deserves its own post.

images via tumblr

Red

Forever 21 top, Urban Outfitters glasses, Forever 21 belt, Vintage Lee cut-offs, Forever 21 shoes

Last week I got my hair done for the first time in awhile and decided to go more red. It was kind of a last minute idea but I love the way it turned out! I'm definitely not one of those people who get's attached to a hairstyle. Instead, every few months or so I get antsy and have to try something new.

These photos are from last Friday...today has actually been much less glamorous. I got all four of my wisdom teeth out today, so I am confined to the couch and an all liquid diet for the next few days. Should lead to some extensive blog reading and online shopping, so feel free to leave links to your all time favorite blogs (other than your own, I'll check that out too ;) and online stores so I can stay entertained!

Follow the Link

By the way, check out my first ever guest post over at The Panty Drawer!

I blame this site for my new found addiction to tights of all colors and patterns.

4 unique outfits, matching tights to the biggest fall trends.

Go Go Go!

Theodora Vintage!

Here it is, the secret project I've been hinting at over the last few posts!

Theodora Vintage

Sasha (of Black n' Gold a la Mode) and I have been working day and night to bring you our very own online vintage boutique filled with wardrobe treasures! Now the store won't be open till September 20th, but to until then we have a lookbook showcasing many of the items that will be for sale.










Photographed by Sasha, modeled by Zoe and I.

I cannot wait to share more as we get closer and closer to our opening date! To stay updated, become our fan on facebook.

Fresh

As you can see, the blog has undergone a bit of a makeover. As much as I loved my old layout I felt like it was time for a change. I've spent most of this week making some other less obvious additions as well.

You can now follow Style Phenomenon on twitter!
or
become a fan on Facebook.

images via The Cherry Blossom Girl. I die one thousand times.

Well Made Plans

Thursday night was spent dreaming, plotting, and planning with my very good friend Sasha. We have a rather exciting plan in the works which will be revealed in a few months time. She works at a complex known as "The Camp," made up of an assortment of interesting stores and cafes. We spent the evening at Milk & Honey, a tiny place with yummy drinks, snacks, and frozen yogurt. The space is so small they have to open a big sliding door onto a minuscule patio stuffed with couches to accommodate guests...it's really kind of magical.

Photo quality is kind of whacked, I was having serious lighting issues.

Top: Gimme Vigor
Lace: UO
Shorts: A&F hand-me-downs
Shoes: Deena and Ozzy
Bag: Louis Vuitton
Bracelets: random junk

Blah Blah Blah

So, I was all set and ready to do a post on the Met Ball and then I thought to myself..."Hey self, anyone who will be checking your blog has already seen the pictures (if you haven't *gasp* click here)."
Anyways, I have just a few comments for the night. I wasn't completely blown away by any one look I am sad to say. I was most amazed by the spectrum of looks that appeared, from Alexa Chung's suit (a fave of mine) to an assortment of rather princess-y ballgowns.
However I must say, there was an abundance of chic and fab and glam and gorgeousness. My personal favorites were Zoe Saldana, Camilla Belle, Stella McCartney, Kate Hudson, Chanel Iman (only she could pull off a shimmer gold deep V-necked harem pant jump suit, kudos girl), Taylor Swift, Katy Perry for having the guts to wear a light up dress. I could go on but I should probably keep my less polite comments to myself. :P

Moving on, I'm going to take the time now to answer the Q&A questions I got.

1)If you could have one piece from any collection of any designer, what piece would it be, and from what collection + designer?

Good question. I feel like there are a million questions for this answer but truthfully I'd have to say a pair of the outrageous shoes from McQueen's last Spring '10 collection. I would never wear them (ok maybe I'd try them on) but I would display them as an art piece.

2) What do you want to do when you "grow up"?

This is a bit of a multi-layered answer, due to my habit of collecting goals. First step in growing up would be to compete as a world-competitive ice dancer, work as a professional dancer, and attend Design/Fashion school. I think my ultimate grown up goal is to work in the fashion industry in someway and coach figure skating. At some point I want to travel the world and have a family too, so I'll just see how it all falls together. :)

3) This isn't from the Q&A post but I had a few people asking if the LV Wedges from my previous post were mine.

Yes they are and I acquired them by the luckiest bit of fate. My friend's family moved and her mom decided to downsize her shoe collection. This pair happened to fit and I was able to snag this pair from the give-away bag before my friends saw them.

Lookie here this post has absolutely no pictures or pretty things for you to look at!
I am incredibly sorry, my schedule has zapped most my free time and energy lately, I promise better content in the coming days!

1 Year!

I can't believe it is actually here.
Today Style Phenomenon turns 1!
I have many emotions about this day...excited and amazed I've stuck with it this long, thankful for every single follower and commenter that I encounter, blessed for all the other lovely bloggers out there. This is seriously an awesome community to be a part of.
I feel like a veteran now, as silly as it sounds, but in the internet world things come and go so fast that a year seems like an eternity. Here's to many more months of my ramblings, musings, and endless wishing.

Some of my favorite posts from the last year:


My very first outfit post. Boy have I changed since then.


Photoshoot with my BFF Alyssa.


Attending Lady Gaga with Sasha!

and lastly,


My first (and never ending) style crush!

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To celebrate, to do a Q&A post. Leave any question you want me to answer in the comments, fashion related or not, and I will answer them in. Go go go!! :)

Sharing Is Caring

This blog shout out is completely un-fashion related, however I think it is something you will all still enjoy. Things We Forget is a blog based in Singapore which is described as "post-it notes left to their fate in public places." Each one is unique with a cute little animation and a thought provoking message. Not to be a copy cat, but I think this would be an awesome project to try out.