Adventures in Instagram

Those of you who know me (which I'm pretty sure is all of you, considering my only readers are my friends), you know I'm a pretty darn big instagram addict. Therefore I post often when I have my ipod. Here's the cutest of what I've done in the past couple weeks:

• Admiring the extreme cute factor of my friend June's shelf. Too bad there wasn't natural light.
• Taking dramatic selfies in June's room
• Finding my inspiration board necklace at Urban outfitters today at the Mall of America. I wasn't sure whether or not to get it, but now I know I want to- I swear I have an emotional attachment to the thing. I'm obsessed.
• Photographing my new backpack from Urban Outfitters. I love it. On sale for $19.95, too! 
• Yogurt and green tea latte for breakfast last weekend
• Taking pictures of the winter flower show at Marjorie McNeely Conservatory
• Outfit of the day from recently

Happy reading! Happy instagramming! Happy living! 

xoxo, Zophia.

March Playlist ♫

I think we can all agree that music and fashion go hand in hand. Enough said.

And you don't have to tell me I'm a huge wannabe Tavi Gevinson. This playlist display was 100% inspired by her and Rookie.

❅Snow-Afternoon❅

March 5 2013  
 A snowstorm came.

     Nothing I'm not used to, but always something to get a little annoyed about. My philosophy on snow is generally "If it doesn't give us a snow day, it shouldn't happen at all." And as per usual, no snow day. Although most schools in the area had a day off, my school district didn't (as usual). But for the first time EVER, they made a surprise decision to end school 45 minutes early, meaning I was done with my school day by 1:15. And what better to do in my extra time than style and outfit, do some photography, and update my blog? Now you can see how deep the snow is!

     Unfortunately, the winter landscape here is still all but magical. (Sorry, no glamorous NYC apartment for me, just a single-family home in the middle of the city. Maybe I'll get myself a glam Minneapolis apartment someday though). I do love the red sweater against the snow though. And if you're wondering, nope, I didn't get cold taking these! 

     The sweater is from a secondhand store, and the skirt is from Hollister. (I really need to quit shopping at the mall). This post wasn't really meant to be fashion, more just something for me to do and to show the height of the snow! Oh, and Sorel boots are a lifesaver here in Minnesota. I even figured out how to wear them with a skirt without looking like a hoochie. It kind of has a girly, ski-lodge vibe to me. 

Inspiration ➽ Creation

     A week or so ago I had paper cranes on my inspiration board. I said I'd make some for my room sometime, and what do you know, I actually did something I said I'd do for once!

     I share a bedroom. A 10x10 bedroom at that. My sister and I are close, but that doesn't mean we like to decorate our 100 square feet the same way- giving me only the space right by my top-bunk bed to express my style and personality. It's small, but I work with it pretty well in my opinion. I've got Christmas lights, a collage of sorts of tumblr pictures and my drawings and paintings, and now, a pair of (probably incorrectly-folded) paper cranes!


     I really do have a thing for paper cranes. To me, they represent courage and freedom. Those things obviously bring about large-scale thoughts of their importance. But lately, they've been important to me on a personal level, which is why I love the reminder when I see them hanging by my bed.

     A tutorial to make origami cranes can be found here.

xoxo, Zophia

Dreaming of Spring

The top is from Hollister (I know, shame on me), the leggings are from Pacsun, the shoes from Forever21. The bandana and the sunglasses are from Rewind Vintage in Northeast Minneapolis. 

     An issue with outfit posts, and photography in general this time of year, is the lack of natural light in the afternoon. I'm no megalopolis dweller, but by the time I have my look perfected., the sun is already well below the buildings surrounding my house. That, added to the fact that I feel like my fingers might fall off if I'm outside for too long, (therefore I can't really leave my yard) makes for boring, poorly-lit outfit photos. In order to take more fun, fancy outfit photographs, I'll have to wait until there's more light and I have the time and freedom to go where I please. (aka summer). For now, though, I like to take it as a nice challenge to combine my outfit-styling and photo manipulation skills to create a whole new photo with a background that can complement an outfit in a way that makes me much happier than a blank wall!
   
     I think the things people get complimented on the most are the pieces that are the most daring. The ones that plenty of us want to- but few have the courage to- wear. Like these wild and bright photo-print (although obviously color-manipulated) leggings, and round sunglasses, which I don't really think will take much courage to wear soon. They seem to be on the rise trend-wise!

Winter-Spring Inspiration Board: Paper, Pastels, and Kitschy Gems

They say spring comes late here in Minnesota. But everything is relative, and plenty of Minnesotans, myself included, like to break out their lighter clothes just as soon as everyone else does, because 50 degrees can be a pleasant surprise. Right now, though, it's still quite cold, but springy things are all too tempting. I rounded up some things I might use to inspire me in this time between winter and spring that won't make me depressed it's not hot enough out to wear shorts and a bikini. (Which by my standards, and probably those of my fellow Minnesotans, is about 60 degrees).

1. Paper Cranes AGAIN by Liis Klammer on flickr - I've been having a major paper crane obsession. I think I'll make some for my bedroom. 

2. Untitled by Hi!Eridan on flickr 

3. Kissimmee Rhinestone Necklace from Urban Outfitters - All I can say is that I'me quite obsessed with it. 

4. A lovely cardboard deer head I wish I could get for my bedroom- but unfortunately, I believe it's no longer on sale. (from Urban Outfitters)

5. Rachel Antonoff by Bass shoes. I wish these beauties were still in stock- if I could afford them, of course. I love the colors and the transparent sides. 

6. UO Gems iPhone 5 Case - I swear I want an iPhone more for the case options than for the phone itself! This is my favorite at the moment. Much cheaper than real fine gemstones anyway! (And cheaper than a lot of iPhone cases too!)

7. Untitled by thom on flickr - I am in love with these colors, and the springy, summery imaginings they bring about. 

8. Untitled by Antoinette Tran on flickr - I'mm a huge fan of vintage/vintage look photography, and I really like the flags, the colors, the background, the girl's outfit... I think I'll make some flags, style an outfit like that, take a photo at a similar location... this photograph is all-around inspiration for me!

Photoshoot with Clara

I had an amazing girls' weekend over presidents' day! On Saturday, I went to Rewind Vintage in Northeast Minneapolis with my friend Clara and we bought American Flag bandanas and round sunglasses, and proceeded to do a retro-grunge themed photoshoot in the waning sunlight coming through her window. We might look like a couple of dumbass hipsters with Clara's mom's vintage Nikon and Arizona tea, but it was fun, and I'm happy with the pictures!


 

Statement shades

I'm a huge fan of this spring's trend of wacky, out-there, statement sunglasses. And of course, being a huge fan of floral, my favorites are the ones decked out in flowers.

Prada

Anna Sui

I've been thinking of doing a DIY of these. Something a little more low-key than the Prada pair, maybe like these:

                                                                             

XOXO,
              Zophia. 

Pastel Pink Dress

I've got a thing for this dress. It's so out-of-the-ordinary but not ridiculous. 

Betsey Johnson

Spring Florals

In more recent years, when I've been more interested in fashion, I've loved floral prints.  This spring is no exception. Everything is in such bold, yet soft color it's hard to resist! Here are some pieces and prints I've found that I like. 

Nanette Lepore

Suno

Richard Chai Love

My favorite floral-print trend is something a little different this year though- photo-print florals! They're so much fun I can hardly stand it, and I think I've already posted a photo or two of them. I really like these Rebecca Minkoff pants and the way the print fades out.

Rebecca Minkoff

And last but not least, I am becoming slightly obsessed with flower crowns to the point where I might even make one and wear it to school (and everywhere else!). I  might as well post some here too just to give me some inspiration for when I decide to do a DIY.

Loving these colors. 

Everything looks good on Lana Del Rey.

By far my favorite.  

XOXO,

               Zophia♡

Best. Leggings. Ever.

Maybe the mainstream world of teen fashion has already heard of it. But living in the Midwest, I just recently heard of Love Culture. Turns out there's one in Minneapolis, which is good, because I'm in love with their leggings! Usually novelty leggings are pricey, but these are generally between $12 and $20, so maybe I'll go over to the shops at West End and buy several pairs! Here are some of my faves:

Cute Shoes

I am posting now because I want to see what a post looks like, since I just redid this layout. Aren't these some cute shoes? They're only $12.95 at H&M!

And these ones!

And it's quite perfect, since I've only got fifty bucks and I want a new pair of sneakers for my trip to Florida and for the spring, plus a lot more. Good thing I'm going to the Mall of America this weekend! I think I'll get the photo-print ones. 

Prom season is just around the corner, if not already started, and I'm a huge fan of the dresses! I always doodle fancy dresses in my school notebooks. This one isn't very original, but I drew it for my friend, and I'm quite proud of my shading work! :) What do you think?