Beauty & Essex

 

Our weekend in NYC was a whirlwind. You already know. I think that's the best part of our friendship. Even though our lives are crazy busy, we always have time for each other.

Scraping by after 2 nights in a row of 3 hours of sleep, we knew we had to get full on glam to survive the evening before us. Upon a friend's recommendation, we made an appearance at Beauty & Essex. After being ushered in, we made our way up the winding staircase to where it was going down. It was completely packed, but we were clearly dressed to impress, for once we had grabbed our drinks, we were offered V.I.P. seating. No complaints here!

The majority of the evening we were our own entertainment as we were becoming delirious with exhaustion. din even claimed that she aided in a nearby couples' soon-to-be-someday "happily ever after". I guess we shall see!

Before heading out, we decided to dance to just one song. I mean, what's a birthday celebration without a dance?! To my surprise, din requested the DJ play 50 Cent "In Da Club". Next thing I know, both she and the DJ are smiling as din starts singing "Go shawty, it's yo birthday!" What followed next was an entire playlist of hits from our highschool years. We clearly weren't the only 30 somethings there because everyone was feelin' the music!

Thanks for making my birthday weekend perfect din! I wouldn't have had it any other way...well...maybe just a bit more sleep!

xo | drédin

dré wears

fur | Vancouver Flea Market

dress | Mossimo

booties | Shiekh

clutch | Just Fab

ring | Lia Sophia

earrings | Forever 21

lip color | Bite lip crayon in Fraise

din wears

fur | Altuzarra for Target

sweater | LOFT

skirt | One Love Clothing

clutch | DSW

booties | Dolce Vita

lip color | Stilla 'Fuschia' 

π = 3.14

Happy π Day, Everyone!

Although my OOTD isn't all that irrational (unless you consider having legs for days. wink, wink.), I still thought it would be fun to shout out this "holiday". How are you celebrating Pi Day?

Just remember, you can have fun today, but....

To find out more about "Pi Day", or just get a good laugh, read The Wheelhouse article here!

Have an irrational day!

xo | din

blouse | Zara

tee | Bella

necklace | gift

skirt | One Clothing

booties | Dolce Vita

Big Wheel

Seattle is a place where hidden gems are tucked away throughout the city. We discovered (and rediscovered) a few. Goat cheese truffles at Clever Bottle, beet salad at Sazerac, frittatas at Cafe Soleil, and bright lights of the Big Wheel on the pier.

What are your favorite gems of the city?

xoxo | drédin

dré wears:
cardigan | Victoria's Secret
top | H&M
leggings | Zara
heels | BCBG

din wears:
cape | LOFT
dress shirt | Reyna
pants | H&M
booties | dolce vita

'Merica

My favorite Avenger is Captain America (do you like code name: drédin on Facebook? you can see my Halloween photo there!). I'd been looking for the perfect Captain America t-shirt for awhile now and fortunately I found this one at everyone's fav store-- Targét. You won't really find me in jeans, so I paired it with this bold skirt. Like the Captain, I hate bullies; so I've got the blazer that means business, and the booties to enforce it.

xo | din

blazer | Express

tee | Marvel

skirt | H&M 

booties | Dolce Vita

Holiday Glam

Whenever you have an opportunity to glam it up, take advantage!! We hit up two locales for dancing and catching up with friends last night. First, the Gene Juarez Salon (Downtown) holiday party at 22 Doors, then See Sound Lounge.

As you can see, dré successfully completed her tutu DIY. She was referred to as the reigning princess all night (but of course we know that tutus are for ballerinas!). Her burgundy crop top and gold heels and accessories completed the look exquisitely. 

din wore a party dress from the ages! A short, black, sequined mini with a full tulle skirt fit to twirl on the dance floor. She accessorized with a skull knuckle clutch, emerald earrings, bold rings, black booties, and simple faux fur coat ;)

We love holidays for all the cheer and fellowship it brings! What a compliment to the reason for the season, right?!

xoxo | drédin 

dré wears:

crop top | Forever21

skirt | DIY project by dré

faux fur | Goodwill find 

clutch & accessories | second hand 

heels | Jessica Simpson

din wears:

dress | Masquerade

heels | Dolce Vita

faux fur | Francis Fay ( second hand )

clutch | JustFab

earrings | borrowed

[ The Breakup Text ]

I've never been one to meddle in despair. 

Not being fulfilled at a University? Transfer. Depressed under seemingly perpetual gloom? Move. Friendships that don't add value to my purpose or walk? Done. Men who don't follow through on important measures? Bye.

I'm too adventurous and curious to remain in a relationship where enrichment is lacking. Even when the relationship is with myself. 

The past couple months have just been weird. 

If it was something that I could pinpoint, I'd tackle it head on. Instead I watched as this peculiar uncertainty crept into a few different aspects of my life. Call me impatient, but I didn't want to wait around and ride it out. So, like always, I decided it was time to take action.

And, I call it: "Breaking Up With Myself"

Okay. Be bold...

When I wrote about my 2 year DC anniversary, I included three through-the-years snapshots. I was shocked to see that (with the exception of bangs) my. hair. was. the. same. [ Gasp! ] I instantly became bored. And, since every serious breakup involves a new hairstyle, seven months later I remedied that boredom by letting my unruly curls fly free. 

Literally. I've attempted to rein it in! Alas, they do what they want. More on this to come...
[ fun fact: dré lightened my color while she was here! ] 

Go on, make an investment...

It's high time I pour into others' lives! So much rejuvenation occurs when I take the focus off of me and put it on others. Specifically those who aren't familiar to me. I hope to do this, in part, through the two interest groups I started at church. One involves coffee and the other football. So far, these opportunities of fellowship have been uplifting and an opportunity for me to do things that I enjoy. Perfect at any point in life, of course, and especially a breakup.

Now, be self-expressed...

"[M]aybe that's the day she has a date with destiny. And it's best to be as pretty as possible for destiny."

Say what you will, but this quote from Coco Chanel really resonates with me. Being self-expressed through style choices allows confidence. "Destiny" can be anything: a man, a new friend, a potential interview. [ Why wait until you have a scheduled meeting with a stranger to put on that power suit?! ] Regardless of who or what destiny is, it feels good to be prepared! Looking forward, I've decided to shift this preparedness into another gear, and try a few bolder choices. Something's got to complement the hair right?

So, who needs a birthday or the celebration of a new year to finally make a change-- especially one that's sure to be spirit-lifting? Certainly not me. And if you've been feeling stuck, down, or nonsensical, too, I challenge you to start shaking things up today.

After all, breaking away from the downtrodden and confusion may be your access to joy, full self-expression, and a new adventure.

xo | din

ensemble | H&M
booties | Dolce Vita