Girl Crush: Shakira

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This time around I wanted to feature Shakira, because I've had a new-found appreciation of her as a result of The Voice. I absolutely love her personality, and I think we need to be friends. 

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I admit, I haven't always been a fan of Shakira. Even now, I don't really listen to her music.  But even still, I absolutely adore her as a person. She first started to win me over as a person when I read her interview in Seventeen sometime during junior high. She seemed like such a sweet genuine person, with an amazing outlook on life.

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But it wasn't until she became a coach on this season of The Voice that I really started to like her. I've been able to get a whole better understanding of who she is as a person, and I think she's amazing. She's so sweet and genuine! I also love how protective she is of the people on her team. 

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Not only that, but she's funny. She's sassy and has a little attitude, but it's all in a good way. I loved watching the battle rounds, to see how she would use that sass to help convince people to choose to be on her team. But seriously, in general, she just seems like a fun person to hang out with. 

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Shakira also makes up one half of a very attractive couple (much like Miranda)-- she's currently dating FC Barca player Gerard Pique, and together they have a son. 

Also, like Miranda, it's hard to find pictures of her that aren't super sexualized, but I did my best. Because she has a fabulous personality, so I wanted to highlight more of her natural beauty rather than her body.

Shakira, can we please be friends?

Shakira also has fabulous hair. I feel like this is a recurring theme in the girls featured hair. Maybe I need a hair crush feature... just kidding

The second and third photo are shot by Marc Baptiste. The other pictures are by Jaume de Laiguana (though the first picture is a different photoshoot).

Wanderlust

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Ever since I got back from Barcelona, I've felt stuck. In Europe, I was free to spend my time how I pleased and go wherever I wanted, with money being the only thing in my way. But here in Washington, I feel like I've seen and done everything there is to do. 

While this is by no means true, I just want to travel to different countries all around the world and explore. It makes me sad knowing that for the foreseeable future, I won't be going anywhere, since I'm too busy trying to save up money for a million different things.

I just have to keep telling myself that one day, I'll have a job where I earn enough that I can afford to travel on a somewhat regular basis. I just feel like there's so much to do and see, so many places to visit, I could never be satisfied if I didn't try my best to travel everywhere.

I know there are some people who are content staying in one place, but I don't understand. I feel like there are just so many amazing experiences that you're missing out on by limiting yourself. To each there own, I guess, but I know that I'm in a constant state of wanderlust that I don't think could ever be fully satiated. 

Plaited

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I absolutely love braids. Since I've always had long hair, throwing my hair in a braid has always been a good way of keeping it out of the way that involves almost little effort. Unfortunately, I'm not good at doing anything other than a simple braid. I finally learned how to fishtail braid last year, but my hair always decides it doesn't want to cooperate. And when I try to incorporate a braid into a bun or something, it never looks right. Even normal braids don't even look that good. #girlproblems

While I may have absolutely no skills when it comes to doing my hair, that doesn't stop me from dreaming of pretty braided hairstyles in the hopes that one day, I'll actually be able to replicate the looks with my own hair. 

I realize all of the pictures feature extremely blonde girls. I wanted more variety, but the overwhelming majority of pictures were blonde. But have no fear, the next post about hair will be much more diverse!

Magical Monday

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After tomorrow, I will officially have been an my new internship for a week, which is super exciting! So far it's going really well. The only thing I don't like is that I have to take the bus, and it's a pretty long ride. Fortunately, I don't have to transfer, but I really need to work on making it so that I can drive.

The list:

1. My new internship. Naturally, this is one the list. I think it's going to be a great experience for me, and I'm really excited about it.

2. Free deliciousness. There were free donuts at work today. I thought this was a fabulous way to start the week. Supposedly we'll have donuts again later this week.

3. Nice weather. Last week was pretty meh, weather-wise, so it's nice that the sun is making an appearance this week.

4. Animals. People are allowed to bring pets into the office, which means that I get to see cute animals all day long. Today there was a dog that was almost as tall as I am. Also, we had a meeting at an animal shelter last week, and took a pit stop to look at the animals on the way out... Oh man, the way the dogs all look at you, I just wanted to take them all home. And then they said that cat adoptions are free in June. Let's just say, if I had my way, we'd have another cat. But I still live at home, so my mom gets the final word.

5. The Voice. I had only seen about half of the episodes from this season of The Voice, and I was finally able to catch up this weekend. I absolutely love this show, and I can't wait until tonight! Adam will always be my favorite coach, but Michelle Chamuel is my favorite this season. I also may or may not have watched the special on Oprah's Next Chapter last night.

Sometimes this list makes me realize quite how boring my life is... This is one of those times.

Edit: Clearly I was tired yesterday, since I forgot to add the title. Oops!

Obsessed: Fold-Over Boots

1-4.  Distressed Zip-Back Combat Bootie. 5-6. Tribal Print Fold-Over Combat Boot.
7. Fold-Over Lace-Up Combat Boot. All Charlotte Russe.

I tried to stop window shopping before I left for Europe to help save money by avoiding temptation and since I've been back, I've been pretty broke so I've tried to keep staying away. However, I decided to peruse the shoes on Charlotte Russe for the first time in a very long time today. And they're making it extra tempting, because certain shoes are buy one, get one for $10. Anyways, I stumbled across these boots, and I kind of love them. I think one, two, and five are my favorites. 

They can be tough, but you also have the option of folding them down and revealing a fun pattern. I think that's what's got me hooked. I don't think I would know how to wear them if they didn't, because that's just so far away from what I would normally wear.

So now I'm deciding if I want to buy them and if so, do I want to buy two different patterns or be more practical and make my $10 pair a different style of shoe. Because, really, I don't need two pairs of virtually the same pair of shoes.

I'm trying to be good and stay away from the rest of the website, because clothes are far more tempting for me... And I have a habit of buying things that I never end up wearing. 

Summer Days

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Summer is by far my favorite season, so I thought I'd do a post about summer style in celebration of the first day of June-- it was even pretty sunny today!

In addition to being my favorite weather-wise, summer is also my favorite fashion-wise. I know a lot of people aren't a big fan of summer style, but I love shorts and tank tops and dresses. Not to mention the bright colors! I also love how easy it is. Just throw on shorts and a tank top or a cute dress and go!

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I love wearing yellow during summer. It's so vibrant and it's a great way to call attention to yourself and the (hopefully) sunny weather! 

This outfit is a great example of that. I love how the dress is simple, though it still mixes texture in a more subtle way. I also like how the shoes toughen up the look a bit, keeping it from being too girly.

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I love the print on this skirt. I think it's so fun, and a great way to lighten up an otherwise simple outfit. That being said, it's still a chic look and it a bit more pulled together than my typical summer outfits.

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I love stripes (a lot), so naturally, I think this outfit is amazing! I think the dress is cute, and it would work perfectly thrown over a swimsuit. That way you can still look cute while walking around shops and exploring, then head straight to the beach or pool, all while being super comfortable.

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You had to know a backless dress was going to be in the mix. This dress is even better, because it combines my love of open backs with my love of stripes. I think this outfit is perfect for any nicer events you may have this summer. Or, failing that, dressing up for a fun day with a friend or two. An added perk of the open back during summer is that it will help you stay cool in the heat.

Trail Blazer

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I've always loved blazers, though I've yet to find the perfect one. I love how they can make even the most simple outfit looked pulled together and classy. I think that this outfit is a perfect example of that. It adds structure to the loose shirt, making it look more professional and work appropriate. Such an easy way to upgrade an outfit.

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Even when blazers are more loose and less structured, they just make an outfit look instantly cooler. While it still looks nice, it doesn't look like you're trying-- it's more effortless.

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I also like the idea of a blazer over a dress. Of course, it could be a fitted dress like this one, but I also like the idea of a structured blazer juxtaposed with a loose, flowy dress (look at me, using fancy words).

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Even if all you wear is a t-shirt and jeans, blazers just make everything look better.

I feel like this is definitely something I need in my wardrobe, since it would help me move a lot of my work clothes up a notch. I don't have a strict dress code by any means, but I'd still like to dress nicer.

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When I was in Barcelona, there were a ton of cute, affordable blazers, but I was really trying to limit my spending. Limiting it didn't work out to well, since I spent an embarrassing amount on clothes during October (which would be why I didn't even let myself go in stores in September). But, when it came down to it, I really did need to budget so that I could afford to eat and travel. And, after my initial foray into shopping, I really had to stick to a much stricter budget. 

So the hunt will continue once again, now that I have a little bit more wiggle room in my budget for non-necessities.