Happy Holidays!

Sleigh bells in the air | Beauty everywhere | Yuletide by the fireside | And joyful memories there | Christmas time is here 

Wisdom Wednesday

"Many a false step is made by standing still." 

Earlier this year, while on a trip to visit friends in LA, I made a pit stop to Urban Outfitters and a little disposable camera caught my eye. "Fortune Camera" is what it was called - a random fortune printed on every shot. "That seems pretty cool," I said to myself, and straight to the checkout line I went. Well, fast forward to 10 months later and I finally got around to finishing up my camera and developing the film. There were some silly shots, some sad shots, and the walk down memory lane was an interesting one. Then, one fortune stopped me in my tracks: "Many a false step is made by standing still." I stopped and stared at the photo and thought about the past six months. If you've been wondering why my Wisdom Wednesdays have taken a halt in the last couple of months, the short answer is I was very much in a rut with every aspect of my life. It wasn't until the beginning of this month that everything finally started to fall into place again. And why is that, you might ask? Because I started moving again. And by that I mean I made a change to keep going. I stopped standing still and decided that it was time to get back into my old step and to focus on all the things that have made me happy. And now, we're only a week or so away from another new year. What a great time to stop standing still and to get moving. Why wait for 2013 to arrive? Just start moving now.

Happy Wednesday, everyone. It's good to be back. 

BCBGeneration #SpendTimeInStyle

You guys will probably be the first ones to agree with me that finding time to do all the things you need and want to do isn't always easy. Take me, for example. I love my blog to death, but these last couple of months I haven't had as much time to work on it with as much dedication as I would have liked. But, one thing that I've realized is, that in life, even though there might not be enough hours in the day to do it all, there is more than enough time to do all the things you love. So, with that I've never given up on my blog and I am determined to keep going and to make time for it. Whatever it is - family, friends, an event, work, laundry, the gym - if it means enough to you, you can and will make time for it. So, if you're finding it hard to do everything you need to do, just take a moment and see where all your time is going. I'm sure that after a few minutes of reflection, you'll find that there are just enough minutes in the day to make every second count.

Crisp and Cozy

Hi, everyone! Remember me? It's been a while since I've done a proper outfit post -- daylight savings time and San Francisco rain have NOT been kind to me. Nonetheless, I'm back and ready to blog! The weather here in the city has been slightly unpredictable. One minute it's warm, the next minute it's cool and crisp. So, us San Franciscans have to adjust accordingly. When the sun's out, but the wind is blowing, I like to grab a pair of boots, throw on a pair of tights and a sweater, and call it a day. I have been living in these boots by Pink & Pepper. They're perfect for the unpredictable weather and easy on my feet. Did I mention how comfortable they are? I got this cozy knit cardi via Poshmark a little while back and finally put it to use. It's got a great cream color and tons of pockets -- who doesn't love pockets? I finished off the outfit with a delicate necklace by a San Francisco jewelry designer, Margaret Elizabeth and a snazzy head wrap turban by Nicole Miller. Now, I'm not one that usually wears turbans, but I do feel pretty cool for pulling this one off. What do you guys think?

Macy's Fall Fashion Event with Mandi Line

As you know, last weekend was my Fall Fashion event with Macy's! It was absolutely a thrill to be able to be a part of something so exciting. I had so much from picking out my outfit to sitting before the show and snapping photos with my fellow blogger buds. It was especially exciting being able to chat with Mandi Line, the stylist of Pretty Little Liars (only my favorite guilty pleasure show ever!). She is an absolute gem and so hilarious! Overall, it was a great turnout and not a bad way to spend a Saturday afternoon. I have to take a moment to thank EVERYONE who was able to make it out and show their support -- it meant so much to me to see all of you there! xo

Meet Me At Macy's!

I'm excited to announce that I've teamed up with Macy's for a fun fall fashion event happening this Saturday, October 6th at the Macy's in Union Square SF. The event starts at 2:00 PM and everyone who swings by and mentions pancakeSTACKER will get a free $10 Macy's gift card! I'll be showcasing a fall trend, so you don't want to miss out! I'm pretty excited because aside from being in the company of some other SF blogger beauties, Pretty Little Liars stylist, Mandi Line will be there too! If you follow me on Twitter, you know that Pretty Little Liars is one of my ultimate guilty pleasures! 

Can't wait to see you all there! 

SEE Eyewear - SF Opening Party

SEE Eyewear 651 Market Street San Francisco, CA 94105

Last week, I had the pleasure of attending the VIP opening party for SEE Eyewear's newest location in San Francisco. It was a fun event filled with familiar faces, delicious creme brûlée from the Creme Brûlée cart, wine from Four Vines Wine, and of course, stylish frames. Special guest, Mondo Guerra (from Project Runway!) was there to help celebrate both the new location and his special line, "Mondo by SEE." Mondo's new line will be SEE's first ever collaboration, and a portion of all sales will be donated to amfAR, an international organization dedicated to AIDS research. Sadly, the new frames won't be available until early Spring 2013, but I know it will be worth the wait!

Benefit Cosmetics: Ultra Plush Lip Gloss

A little while back, I hinted that I was working on a fun project with Benefit Cosmetics. Now, months later, the final product is done, and I'm so excited to share it with you! Here's a little video campaign I was in, along with two other beautiful Bay Area bloggers, Krystal of This Time Tomorrow and Whit of Britt + Whit, for the launch of Benefit's new lip glosses!

Stay tuned for some behind the scenes footage and more!

Wisdom Wednesday

"Forever is composed of nows." -- Emily Dickinson

Hey there. Have you missed me? I know Wisdom Wednesday has taken a bit of break for the last couple of weeks. But, hopefully like you, I've missed my weekly reflections. In any case, this week's wisdom is short, sweet, and part of the reason for my blogging hiccups these last few weeks: Forever is composed of nows. It's a very simple concept to understand, but a very hard one to grasp. Think about it. Every day, we are all working towards something in the future - a future job, a future home, a future relationship, you name it. But, how often do you realize that while you're working on the forevers of tomorrow, all the todays turn into yesterdays? It's really great to work towards a future goal (you know that I'm in full support of that), but it's also really important to remember that achieving the dreams of tomorrow and forever all start with the moments of today. I've made a point in the last few weeks to take time for myself and really appreciate each and every one of these moment. When I'm tired and I feel like having a lazy day (and believe me, I sometimes have a lot of those days), I remember that time is something you don't get back. If I can work, then I work. If I can get outside and enjoy the day, then I enjoy. If I have any spare time to get something done, then I grab it and make use of every second. I've come to realize that these are my moments in life and I want to make sure none go wasted.  Today, tomorrow, forever - they're all the same. So, my advice? Make sure you are enjoying the journey of today, while you're on the road towards your dreams of tomorrow, forever, and everything else in between. Pit stop breaks or stops to smell the flowers are also a-ok.

Happy Wednesday, everyone.

Runway 2012: Defined

Hello SF friends! Just wanted to let you know that tonight is the night to attend San Francisco State University's thirteenth annual student spring fashion show. The Apparel Design and Merchandising students of SFSU have worked hard to showcase their designs this spring and the show will present a collaborative collection in which designers have reconstructed and revamped clothing donated from Goodwill Industries, San Francisco. This is definitely a great event to support local and upcoming designers, so if you are free, I hope you'll make it out!

A Colorful Creation

Button up & Skirt: Forever 21; Top: Nordstrom; Tights: Target; Boots: Nine West; Watch: Kenneth Cole; Necklace: Bauble Bar; Photos by: Tim Wong

Life has been pretty crazy busy lately... so busy that I'm tired just thinking about it all. Also, I cannot believe that tomorrow is the first day of May! Crazy how time just zooms on by. I have a ton of posts and things to share with you, but you'll have to excuse my slow blogging as I adjust to this busy bee lifestyle that has recently come upon me. For now, hope you will enjoy these bright snaps!

Blue Crush

Coat: Nordstrom; Dress: Random boutique; Shoes: Shoe Republic LA c/o LuLus.com; Photos by: Tim Wong 

Is it just me, or does my hair seem to have already grown out quite a bit since my cut? I feel like it will be long again in no time! Maybe it's time to start thinking about what to do next... Anyhoo, here are some quick snaps of a dress that I've been getting a lot of wear out of. Excuse the first shot where it looks like I have a tummy poof! I love the simplicity of the dress --the chunky stripes, the classic colors, and the skinny belt. While I can see myself wearing it in many ways (fun collared shirt underneath, sweater over top, layered outerwear), this is probably the way you'll see me wear it most. The shoes were a gift from LuLu's and they are easily one of my favorite pairs at the moment. They're not just easy on the eyes either! The chunky platform makes these sky high babies fairly comfortable, so they're easy on my feet! This week is a really busy one for me, but I'm excited to share with you what's going on when I can. Until then, hope you all have a great start to the week!

Wisdom Wednesday

"One important key to success is self-confidence. An important key to self-confidence is preparation." -- Arthur Ashe

"Rockin' Everywhere" Look book, LF Stores, Spring 2012 

You never know when the moment is going to hit you. What moment? The moment that lives in your dreams. The moment that changes everything. The moment. So, while you are busy dreaming up that moment, dream up your drafts on how you will get there and how you will make darn sure that once it arrives, you are ready, in every single way, to take it. And not just take it. Take it; run with it; make it yours. Success is such a loaded word, as I've often discussed. But, one component of being successful is being confident. Successful people know, confidently (and not cockily), that their dreams aren't just dreams...they are realities waiting to happen. And how are they so sure? Because, they're not just waiting for their dreams to happen. They are working towards those dreams each and every day, planting the seeds, making them grow, slowly, but surely. Successful people are confident that they are going to make things happen. Confident people are prepared to make things happen. And what about the "luck" factor? Well, really, what is "luck?" It's opportunity meeting preparation. The moment that changes everything often only comes once. You have to be confident in your abilities to seize the moment, but more importantly, you must be prepared enough to handle it once it is there.

Wisdom Wednesday

“When men speak ill of thee, live so as nobody may believe them.” -- Plato

"The Weekender" Look book, Love and Bravery 

Today's post is going to be a short one. I'm a bit under the weather and any minute now, the two spoonfuls of Tylenol cold & flu cough syrup I took will set in before I have enough time to write a coherent post. In any case, today's wisdom is a just a simple reminder to live a life you will be proud of when it's time to look back on it. In the end, I truly believe it won't matter where you went to college, what kind of job you had, how much money you made, or what kind of stuff you had. What will matter is the content of your character and how you treated others. So, live a kind life. I guarantee that when you are kind, good things will always come your way.  No one forgets a kind heart.

Bewitching Bows with LuLus.com

Gift Basket Taupe Shift Dress: c/o LuLus.com; Kitten Heels: Nine West (similar style); Necklace &; Ring: Forever 21; Watch: Kenneth Cole; Tights: Target; Photos by: Tim Wong

LuLus.com sent me this darling Gift Basket Taupe Shift Dress and it quickly became one of my favorite ones to wear. I love the color combos, and the fact that the dress is simple, but still alluring in the the details. But what do I love most? That beautiful back bow! I can't express enough how easy it is to slip this dress on and just walk out the door feeling comfortable and complete. It was sold out for a while, but luckily for you, LuLu's just restocked! And don't worry if taupe isn't your color,  because it also comes in red, blue, and mint green! I'm already contemplating getting it in another color... hmm.

This is my final look in my series with LuLus.com. If you missed any of the other other posts, you can check out them out here and here. A big and special thanks to the lovely team at LuLu's for the opportunity!! 

And, for all of you, get 15% off your total purchase when you enter PANCAKE at checkout! If I were you, I'd start with this dress ;) Valid from 3/29/12 - 4/05/12 for US and Canada residents only.

Wisdom Wednesday

“Be miserable. Or motivate yourself. Whatever has to be done, it's always your choice.” -- Wayne Dyer

"Springside Bowl" Look Book, LuLu's, Spring 2012

The other day, I read this quote that a friend had posted as a status. I sat there for a few minutes really contemplating whether or not I liked the quote. Then I came to the conclusion that its raw and tough-love-like nature was a perfect reminder for all to hear.

I can never understand why people always complain so much. Here we have a classic case of the pot calling the kettle black, because I'm quite guilty of whining over things from time to time. I would like to think that I have been much more mindful of it, as of late, but that might just be wishful thinking. In any case, complaining can only take you so far. You whine, you feel sort of better after letting go of some inner angst, and then you think about it again and feel upset. Sound familiar? If not, it certainly does with me. But really think about the act of complaining. What does it get you aside from maybe 10 minutes of relief after you've expressed your dissatisfaction for a certain situation or a certain someone? Nothing, really. So why not just channel all the anger, sadness, worry, pain, whatever it is you feel towards something better? Let it motivate you. Let it help you. Do not wallow in pain and don't let someone dictate how you feel. You are in charge of you. Be better. Waste your time crying over spilled milk, or clean up the milk and get moving to get some more. In the end, all the choices we make are our own. So, be miserable, or be motivated.

>> And as a special Wednesday treat, don't forget that you still have time to get 15% off your total order when you enter STACKER at checkout on LuLus.com! Valid from 3/22/12-3/29 for US and Canada Residents only. <<