In the Pouring Rain

Wearing:
Forever 21 sheer blouse
Topshop doberman motif sweater
Joe's Jeans
Burberry rain boots
Burberry watch
Topshop wool cloche hat
Vintage purse
Mac lipstick in "rebel"

Over the years, I've come to love the rain (and all other temperamental weather).  I used to be the summer-only type of girl.  My personality would shift in colder weather.  I'd become more reserved and shy.  I would even stutter sometimes!  Then when summertime came rolling by, I was the complete opposite.  I'd blossom into a social butterfly.  Now, I'm happy to report that I'm exactly the same in all weather.  I'm perfectly happy when it rains just as much as when it's a sunny day.

We spent the entire day in rainy Sebastopol the day these pictures were taken.  As much as I love the rest of Sonoma County, Sonoma itself takes the cake for its beauty during a storm.  There is something about Sonoma in gloomy weather.  The Valley transforms itself into some sort of fairytale setting.  The oak trees come alive, glowing with neon green moss against the gray skies.  Their long, intricate branches are exaggerated in the light gray background.  And the vineyards look just as magical in the fog or rain.  These pictures don't do it justice.

Hope you guys have a great weekend!  Thanks for reading :)

xo  Azu

Checkered Blouse

Wearing:
Forever 21 gold bow headband
Vintage checkered/ grid print silk blouse
AG Jeans "The Stilt"
Vintage Dooney & Bourke bag
Tory Bourke "Kaitlin" pump
Prada sunglasses
Burberry watch
Vintage earrings
Vintage ring
Mac "Girl About Town" lipstick

This is one of my favorite vintage silk blouses.  But I'll probably say that about every vintage blouse I have.  This one is luxuriously soft and doesn't appear to be vintage at all.  I love the ruffled collar and the print.

These pictures were taken back in February.  I wore this exact outfit (minus the jeans, I wore my dark blue COH ones) when I went to see Dave Chappelle in September.  A comfortable and casual (but not too casual) outfit was what I had in mind.  In case you're wondering, it was a great show!  I don't think I mentioned it before on my blog.  Watching Dave perform live was something I never thought I'd get to see.  Well...I'm happy to report that I did.  And he was just as hilarious as ever.  In fact, I still quote him from that show.  Did any of you get to go to his show last year?  Let me know in the comments :)

xo  Azu

Stripes, Leather, Velvet

Wearing:
Forever 21 dress worn as a top
ASOS leather circle skirt / skater skirt
Vintage corduroy blazer (made by my mom in the 70s)
Miu Miu patent leather mary janes
Prada sunglasses
Burberry watch
Estee Lauder "Stay Scarlet" lipstick

Whenever I wear skirts or shorts, I always wonder if people notice the scars on my knees.  I feel like they're really noticeable.  Aren't they?  It probably doesn't help that I have a few new massive bruises in those same areas.  I got the biggest scar almost 3 years ago when I fell on a trail.  The others came later on another trail.  Apparently I fall and scrape my knees once every year.  A few weeks ago, I gained another little scar and a few bruises.

This may sound strange, but I actually kind of like them.  They remind me that I kept running on the trail even while I had throbbing pain and blood dripping down my legs.  It's kind of a gruesome metaphor for the troubles in your life, but hear me out:  If life tries to pull you down or knock you down, get right up and keep running.

In other news, I want to share some vacation photos with you guys.   BUT...I have yet to upload them onto my laptop.  I went to Yosemite for the first time this past week.  I had the best time!  I'm actually still sore from all the hiking we did.  More on my trip on my next post.

xo  Azu