As a little girl, I used to dream about becoming Miss Universe; you could ask anyone and they'd tell you. For my 16th birthday, one of my good friends even gave me a sash that had 'MISS UNIVERSE' printed on it - I'd be lying if I said it wasn't still hanging across the mirror in my bedroom to this day.

I've been wanting these Janes for the longest time. Skinny straps and heels do it for me. If I had my way - my entire shoe closet and closet in general would be Saint Laurent.

Recently I got a roll of film developed from pictures taken mid-summer to about last week and I thought I'd share what came out of it. My favourite part of having film is not being able to see what photos are taken - that way, it's just one big massive surprise. I scanned these photos last night and felt a little nostalgic. For a period of time before getting it developed, I forgot all about any of these moments. Looking back at the actual prints I have in my hand right now make me remember exactly what I felt when they were taken. Kind of a cool feeling - this is why I love taking photos.

Despite all the controversy and odd criticism, I absolutely adore Terry Richardson's photography. His photos are so simple, yet exude some sort of edge at the same time. His portfolio and repertoire include a long list of celebrity subjects - Miley Cyrus, James Franco, Kylie Jenner, Sky Ferreira, even Obama - just to name a few of many. My best friend and I thought it would be fun to take some photos and try our hand in the style of his.

 

I attended a friend's birthday party the other night and got to dress up all pretty with a few of my babes! I could barely keep my eyes off of the decor and desert - all of which Lauren put together herself. The cake had cute edible plant print from the Beverly Hills Hotel wallpaper. And the donuts? - THEY WERE GLITTERED. 

Vocally, Boyz II Men have to be one of the very best groups I listen to - their harmonies and acapella performances are always so incredible. I always talk about how sad I am that there will probably never be a group of this generation that can sing love songs as good or better than Boyz II Men. I've seen them a few times before and earlier tonight, I got the chance to see them perform a free show at the local fair... and of course, they didn't disappoint. What's new? They're timeless.

Here are some snaps from the concert and an outfit kind of thrown in as well. Check it out!

This is my current favourite song and it's been for awhile. I can't even relate to the lyrics, really. I'm not heartbroken, going through it or even at risk for it. It's just a good song - the kind that makes you feel like you're experiencing it even when you aren't. James Bay is such a talented musician and it's almost like you can hear his soul and passion through his voice alone. He has a such a strong voice, it projects far out of his skinny frame. Anyhow, he just dropped the video for Scars a few days ago. Check it out above. It's been on my mind a lot for some reason I can't decipher.

All muh love.
x lj

I'll be the first to admit that I'm not a huge movie/television junky as everyone else seems to be. I get so restless sitting through movies that I even fall asleep sometimes (fun fact: I can fall asleep almost anywhere). The only television shows I've watched religiously were The McCarthy's, Breaking Bad and The Buried Life.. All of which are either finished or taken off air. Chances are if you ask me if I've seen a particular movie.... the answer is most likely "no." I suck. I get it.

I got a request by @lolohkristen on Instagram to share this outfit with y'all! Thank you for the suggestion. I'm always up for it. Keep requesting! This 90's-esque outfit was inspired by Paul Rudd's character, Josh, in the 1995 movie 'Clueless'. Maybe I'm the only one, but I think Paul Rudd is kind of attractive... A lot of my friends beg to differ. What do y'all think? I mean, I can't be the only one..

ANYHOW - inspiration/outfit/makeup details are down below!

(Don't mind the iPhone quality photos... my mom took my camera with her on a trip!)

I woke up in the middle of the night after an hour of sleep. It was 4:21 AM and I just couldn't fall back. It's not always the best thing. I woke up from a dream with no retained memory of it - besides the person in it and that it was a good one. Though, I closed my eyes and all I felt was fear, even though there was absolutely nothing to fear. It was hot and the window was cracked, yet I still buried myself under the covers. I was scared for no reason. The dark, maybe? I drank a coffee and accepted the fact I wouldn't be falling back asleep.

  

A friend is touring with him this summer and I may be stopping to see a show. I'm pumped.

x lj

Ehhhh, if you know anything about me you'd know why this is my favourite photo in the universe. HA.

A crowd well over 20,000+ people at Hershey Park in Hershey, PA.

I have no clue what the structure of my content will be like for the next month or so since I've been majorly occupied with life things. Exciting life things! For one, I've been traveling a lot (and there will be a lot more of that real soon), traveling being the main reason I haven't been able to write to you more frequently. However, I'm hoping to share some new content from wherever my adventures take me over the summer. I always like to say that my friends are who motivate me to write and are truly the ones who support me the most.

My insecurities that I never acknowledged seemed to appear recently. If there's anything I've learned, it's just to try your hardest at whatever is thrown at you. My grandparents have always told me since I was just a young little bean: "be the best you can be". Truly, be the best you can.. Even when things don't go your way. I've also learned that achieving certain goals are difficult. Jeez, have I really learned. Progress takes awhile to show itself, but builds character along the way. It's all worth it, I swear.

As you guys may have seen in a post previously, while I was in California, I had the chance to finally buy the American Candy vinyl at Amoeba Records. With the luck I have, I happened to unknowingly pick out the deformed + warped record out of the bunch. It scratches every time I play the opening track (which gives me an excuse to go and grab another one if I can find it in Canada!). Let me tell you right off the bat - the creative design on this thing is amazing.

 I don't own a lot of bell bottoms and when I found these on the sale rack at Forever 21, I practically plunged towards them. And of course, what better to partner a little 60's/70's flare with some Nick Santino merch? He just gives off that 70's rock and roll vibe, and I don't know - maybe it's a lot to do with the hair and vagabond feel he's got going for him.

THIS BAG. This sturdy little bag has been EVERYWHERE. Anywhere you can imagine. Even when it's not being a globetrotter + sitting on various airport floors, it comes along with me daily to my ballet studio. It's been in use everyday for over a year straight; money's worth you could say?

Laying in the middle of a parking lot and taking photos is quite dangerous and I really don't recommend it. What's more rock and roll than all black + a little leather? My aunt actually told me the only thing really missing from these photos is a burning cigarette. And surprisingly, I couldn't agree more.

'LAZY DAY IN' ATTIRE

By now, everyone probably knows how enthusiastic I am about 8123 - whether it be the fact I carry around my 8123 duffel everywhere I go or my incessant + shameless amount of posts on Instagram. If you aren't too familiar with 8123, I'll do my best to describe what it is.. or what it means to me, at the very least. I get asked very (and when I mean 'very'.. i mean very) often about what the four numbers symbolize and to be completely honest, I can't seem to pinpoint an answer that will take me less than 10 minutes to describe.