Seasonal Lust

Hauntings

1:18 AM

It was one of my first jobs during college and I knew she attended the same school. One of the few other younger employees on our team, I noticed her immediately. A few months go by and I finally have to courage to initiate a conversation. I wanted to get to know this girl. She was so poised and put together while I couldn't even wake myself up early enough to get a shower in. I approached her cubicle and she was inviting. We talked for about an hour connecting over school, classes and the office life here. The conversation went well and I returned to my work for the day. After that, we never spoke again. She would encounter me in the hallway or in the elevator and advert her eyes. Maybe I my nose is crooked? Maybe she had social issues? Maybe it had nothing to do with me at all.

I left the job a year later and here she is, a permanent memory on my little blog.

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We hadn't spoken for over two years. Time flew by so fast that when he finally texted me, I thought we had spoken just last month. No, trust me, it's been two years, he insisted. I had to stop talking to you because I was mad about what you told me about my relationship at the time. But you were right. He had come back to say this. I remembered at that moment I promised myself to never be a martyr for the truth again. Some people just don't deserve it.

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"I can't be the friend you expect me to be." The end.

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He took my picture. He was very talented and very miserable. After I dropped him off at the airport, I never heard from him again. Perhaps he found his happiness after all. I hope he did because what he did was cowardly and I don't want it to be in vain.

I don't know what the purpose of this post is, maybe it's not healthy to dwell on these unanswered moments of the past. Maybe it's cathartic.

Favorite follows; November edition

7:00 AM

It's Thanksgiving. You're going to have a lot of down time today because there is only so much family one can take (or is that just me?). So I'm here to share some of my favorite content creators at the moment. I particularly love these ladies because they keep it real whether they are unapologetic about how they are still figuring things out or authentic in their content voice. I don't really think of these ladies as bloggers/influencers because their main appeal is not to shill the latest trend, adorn themselves in gifted/loaned designer wares or push unrealistic aspirations of the #jetset life on sponsorship dime. More on this another time. Anyways, take a break from chatting with that uncle you see once a year and chill in the awesomeness of these ladies.

Ashley Kane of Brunch on Chestnut. Ashley lives in San Francisco like me so not only is she super relatable, she also has a very strong sense of personal style (downtown classic) but her decorating skills are really on point too. I like that she has suggestions of great closet staples that are devoid of fads. She also posts a lot of great deals and lives life on a normal budget like normal people.
Aja Dang. I like this woman for her authenticity. Aja is honestly trying to get her life together and taking you with her. She shares hurdles of tackling her student loans, her struggles with keeping a budget, and she shares how she edits her photos – facetune and all. She's unabashed, humble and hustling her ass off.
Vanessa Grall of Messy Nessy Chic. Francophiles, get your fix here. I discovered her youtube videos a few months ago and have recently discovered her blog. So many great tidbits about Paris that goes beyond the basic topics about Paris. This is for the endlessly curious bookworm in all of us.
Pamela Rf. Some days I don't have to energy to leave the house. This is how I discovered Pamela's workout videos. Her workouts are challenging but their short length (20 mins max) keep me from getting bored. I try to master all her workouts by doing them a few days ~~in a row~~ each week.
Jamie Beck of Ann Street Studio. Another expat living in France, but her pictures are dreamy and her daily chronicles serves as the perfect escapism. Follow Jamie as she goes to the farmers market in her small town or learn about the editing process behind how she creates beautiful portraits. Following Jamie has reminded me to pause and appreciate the small moments in my daily life.

Enjoys.

xx

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Just in time: Workout essentials to buy this week

7:05 PM

Big feasts are coming this week, but if you've been partaking in Friendsgiving you've already been stuffing yourselves silly. The biggest motivator for me to work out is new workout gear. Here are some of my tried and trues that make me feel top notch when working out and a few workout items that I use at home when I can't be bothered to leave the house.

This workout crop top is beautiful and functional. I first learned about it on this blog, she's an amazing blogger and one of the reasons why I was motivated to get back on Seasonal Lust
Saw this Lululemon compression pants on a chic traveler at the Incheon airport earlier this year. Immediately went to my nearest lulu only to learn that they have medical grade compression and looks fabulous on everyone. Seriously, everyone needs a pair in their closet.
Foam rolling is essential for workout recovery and maintaining lean muscles. I like that this one collapses so you can tuck it in your suitcase when you travel.
Resistance bands are so easy for a lazy person like me. I sit in front of the TV and use this on my arms and legs. The. Best. Lazy. Workout.
Kettlebell workouts are one of my favorite go to's for building muscle and burning fat without feeling mundane
I cannot stop raving about these yoga mats and telling all my friends about it. It's a combo mat made from recycle rubber with a top fabric layer that prevents slipping and absorbs moisture at the same time. It's also machine washable.

One of my favorite workout brand is from Australia (Aussies have such good taste), PE Nation. They get the color-blocking and design just right in how flattering it is on everyone. I have one set I purchased a year ago and it's still my favorite workout 'fit.

If you stock up now these items should arrive by next week just in time for that post holiday glutton guilt. What good timing.

My favorite shops for every day jewelry

12:06 AM

All cool girls pierce their ears, in multiple places, and arm their fingers with precious metals (at least all the cool girls I know). Small piercings and ornamented hands are the perfect low maintenance –hear me out – way to express yourself on a daily basis. One may think that loads of jewelry on our lobes and fingers seems impractical, but if chosen sensibly it can be so unobtrusive that we forget we even have them on.

Key things to note when building your collection of jewelry for everyday life: avoid large ornamental trappings like large stones or designs that protrude too much so they do not get caught on clothes or poke you as you sleep. Stick to solid gold of at least 14 karat to avoid tarnishing or fading when you inevitably have to shower or jump into the ocean. I was told by a piercer that they try to avoid sterling silver when piercing clients due to the fact that it tends to tarnish with prolonged wear or while the skin is healing. So do with that info what you will.

With that said, here are my favorite places to purchase high quality solid gold pieces that don't break the bank.

For dainty earrings, I love this shop based in Seoul
I get stacked rings from this online shop in Sebastopol, California who gets bonus points for using recycled gold, so good for the environment
This pinky signet ring from Strand and Stone is on my wishlist for winter
I discovered this brand at a crafts fair last week. If you love skulls like me this ring needs to be on your wishlist
This is the prettiest necklace will not get off my mind

Pierced image from Body Electric's Instagram which has a host of really cool piercing combinations for inspiration.

In Search of the Perfect Camel Coat

12:34 AM

If you love being wrapped up in a cozy blanket during colder days, like me, than you know the need for a plush coat in a perfect neutral that conjure up images of warmer moments by the fire yet makes you feel like a chic business woman treading lightly down cobbled streets of Copenhagen, is real.

I've searched high a low because there is nothing I enjoy doing more in my spare time than to browse online stores. Above are a few of my favorites and one of which I recently purchased (links below). Will report back (on my IG stories) if I will keep or opt for one of the other options above.

A few things I was looking for in a camel coat: a drop shoulder, but not required - this gave the jacket a relaxed fit, but the color kept it sophisticated, loose fit for layering - this is vital when you want to layer a warm knit underneath, big collars for colder days - rolling up your collars on a coat looks so sleek, and wool - for warm and quality.

1. Structured wool coat, Mango

2. Collar wool coat, Genuine People

3. Belted wool wrap coat, Genuine People

4. Wool-crepe trench coat, Victoria Beckham

5. Manuela belted camel hair coat, Max Mara

I purchased #3. It arrives in a few days. Will let you know how it turns out via Instagram like I always do.