After the Storm

Wearing:

Forever 21 shirt
Topshop doberman motif sweater
Joe's Jeans
Abercrombie & Fitch jacket
Topshop wool hat
Burberry rain boots
Vintage quilted purse
MAC "Rebel" lipstick

You guys are not going to believe how crazy this year has already been.  For the past month, I've been trying to figure out why my hand was swelling up (you can actually see some swelling in these pics...look at my hand that's holding the purse).  I spent my New Years at a doctor's office and last Sunday night at the ER.  I barely got out of the hospital today!  My hand is finally getting better.  It's such a relief that most of the swelling has gone away.  Perhaps the only good thing about being hospitalized is that it makes me appreciate life so much more.  It was a scary experience and yet I felt so loved.  My loved ones came to see me (and stay with me) and they brought me lots of delicious food (they knew I'd hate what the hospital served...I'm picky and they know me well lol).

By now you're probably wondering what caused an intense swelling (and unbearable itching) of my right hand.  Well...I was seen by at least 5 different doctors and not one of them could pinpoint the exact cause.  But I have a feeling that my severe allergic reaction was caused by a giant millipede I found in my backyard...and picked up.  Not smart.  But I am a big fan of creepy crawly bugs.  They don't scare me at all  :)  In fact, I find most of them to be quite adorable.  After this experience, it is safe to say that I will NEVER pick up a millepede ever again in my life.

By the way, these pictures do not show the extreme puffyness of my hand.  I'll post those pics soon.  These pictures were taken two weeks ago after a huge storm.  I never had time to post.  Which reminds me...I need to reply to most of your comments!  It's just hard to type with one hand so bear with me :)

xoxo

Azu

To Sandy Hook

Wearing:

BCBG knit blue top
C&C California camisole / tank top
AG Jeans
Vintage boots
Louis Vuitton mini backpack
Guess ring
Bird brooch (borrowed)
Knit scarf (made by a friend)

Makeup:

Mac Fabulousness smokey eye palette
Mac "Girl About Town" lipstick

I have found myself lately being less outspoken about things that matter.  I'm not that way in person but I am when it comes to this blog.  It's quite a contrast to the way I was last year.  I was very open about the world of politicians and how their decision making plays a large role in our lives... even to us fashion bloggers.   But for the past month I have held my tongue.  Part of the reason is out of fear of censorship.  Many websites (such as facebook and youtube) have censored what their users are saying if they don't agree with the views of the media.  The other reason is that I don't want to come across as anti government (which I most certainly am not).  In a way I guess that makes me a coward.  Especially since I've been wanting so badly to talk about the 2nd amendment and Sandy Hook.  I want to throw in my two cents but I do not want to distract from the tragedy itself.  It's a horrible thing that happened and we should acknowledge it, not use it to push an anti-gun agenda.  

I've felt so sad for the victims of that tragedy.  But what has angered me the most is the way the media,  reporters, and politicians have treated those families like walking piggy banks.  That makes me SO angry.  Out of all of those gaggle of idiots, not one of them has visited the families of the victims after the cameras stopped rolling.  It's sickening that those reporters cared more about being the first to get the story than they did about the actual story.

The only thing I want to say now is that if you're reading this, can you please just have a moment of silence for the Sandy Hook victims?  Just for a minute?



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I wish we could all just pray and focus on love instead of turning a tragic situation into a political one.  I do want to voice my own opinions  about this, but I'll save it for another post.

xoxo

Azu

Cheetah Pants / Christmas Tree Nail Art

Wearing:

INC black V neck top with chain detail
G by Guess cheetah print pants in ginger over dye (buy it here. It's on sale for $22)
Tory Burch "Kaitlin" quilted leather pumps
Vintage quilted leather bag
BB Dakota leather suede jacket
Vintage angora hat
Burberry watch
Estee Lauder "Stay Scarlet" lipstick

Hi everyone!  I hope you're all having a great weekend  :)  This is going to be my last post for the next 4 or 5 days.  That's usually how long it takes for me to post again anyway...hahaha!  I was hoping on being able to squeeze in another outfit post before Christmas, but that's not going to happen :(  So I'm giving you guys two posts right now.

If you've been following me since the beginning, you may remember these next few pictures.  I didn't do any festive designs this year on my nails...but I thought I'd share these pictures again because I love the way they came out.  Enjoy!




I used:

 Zoya nail polish (white)
No Miss Nail polish in "Boynton Beach Blue"
Zoya "Suvi" (green)
Zoya "Creamy" (yellow)

I have these on my pinterest, if anyone wants to pin them.

Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays!  Thank you for reading my blog and following :)

xoxo


Azu

Persimmon

Wearing:

BCBG fur stole
BCBG blouse
Joe's Jeans
Apepazza suede peep toe boots
MICHAEL Michael Kors "Charlton" crossbody bag in persimmon (buy it here...I love the peony color too)
Burberry watch (thanks to my boyfriend :)
Mac "Rebel" lipstick

I have a confession to make.  This season I have been OBSESSED with persimmons.  I eat at least 4 a day.  I'm not sure what kind they are but they aren't the normal kind that get mushy when they're ripe.  These ones I've been munching on for the past month are still crunchy when ripe.  They're so sweet and yummy!  I should also point out a funny coincidence.  My new bag is in the color "persimmon."

These pictures were taken in the rain.  See those little dots all over my pictures?  Those are rain drops.  They kind of look like orbs...which goes well with the muggy background.

Anyway, I'm back to my normal blogging schedule.  I'm so sorry for not replying to comments for the past few weeks!  I've been busy, busy, busy.  I've been taking pictures for my blog, but have been unable to post them.  I don't want to just post pictures without writing a little something below them.  Even if it's just a summary of what I did when those pictures were taken...or even what I ate.  ;)

xoxo

Azu

Simple Elegance

Wearing:

DKNY sweater (old)
AG jeans velvet skinny pants
Nine West ivory pumps (super old)
Vintage blue fox fur stole
D&G clutch/wallet
Clinique "A Different Grape" lipstick

These are my new favorite pants.  I love this color...especially in velvet.  Adriano Goldschmied makes the best jeans ever (and pants apparently).  Every single pair I have from AG fit like a dream and are so comfortable.  I bought these maybe 1-2 months ago at an amazing price.  The best part is that all AG jeans are made in the USA.

We took these pictures in between running errands and having a super late lunch date at Clemente's.  If you're ever in Napa County, you must stop by.  It's kind of hard to find because it's located inside a liquor store (Val's).  But it's worth the search :)  My boyfriend and I bought malfatti and ravioli.  Yum!  I don't really eat bread anymore or processed carbs, but I make an exception for Clemente's.

And thank you for reading.  I know this post is really short compared to my last one lol.

xoxo

Azu

Staying Healthy for the Holidays

Wearing:
Zara fit and flare dress
Black knit tights (no label)
BCBGirls suede and leather pumps
Burberry scarf
Vintage bag
Vintage red suede belt
Estee Lauder "Stay Scarlett" lipstick

I thought I would write about vitamins today, since I've been wanting to do so for a while.  This may be a bit boring for some but bear with me.  These vitamins that I'm about to share with you have completely changed my life.  I used to get sick 1-2 times a year (or more).  Even if I'd take a daily multi vitamin or vitamin C, I would get sick anyway.  Throughout my life I took many different types of vitamins and none of them seemed to actually benefit me in any way.  Until I found these, I never thought that a vitamin could actually prevent me from getting a cold or flu.

So allow me to introduce to you guys the best vitamins I have ever had.  Because of these, I have not gotten sick in about 2 years!  Isn't that amazing?  It feels good knowing that I will not miss out on life because of a stupid cold.  My boyfriend, mom, and one of my brothers have also taken these supplements and they haven't gotten sick during the 1-2 years that they've taken these products.

These are the vitamins I take every single day:

Astaxanthin (from Dr. Mercola): This is an amazing antioxiant.  Astaxanthin is 65 times more powerful than vitamin C, 54 times more powerful than beta-carotene, and 14 times more powerful than vitamin E.  Pretty cool, huh?  There are so many benefits to taking astaxanthin that I don't have time to list them all.  Read more about astaxanthin here.  You won't regret it :)

CalMax:  CalMax is a powder vitamin I take before I go to bed.  It's a blend of vitamin C, Calcium and magnesium.  I have trouble sleeping and this helps to relax me, thus giving me a great night's sleep. Buy it here.

Krill Oil (Dr. Mercola):  Krill oil is extremely good for you.  It promotes a healthy mood, a healthy heart, helps fight signs of aging, helps with memory and concentration, and even helps relieve symptoms of PMS.  I love Krill oil.  The best part is that it's full of Omega-3s.  Buy it here (but scroll all the way down if you don't want to read everything.  There is also a very informative video at the top page).

Daily Multi vitamin from Purity Products:  This is the most effective multi vitamin I have ever used. You feel better within 30-40 minutes of taking this.  Buy it here.

Kefir & Apple Cider Vinegar:  These aren't really vitamins, but they are fermented foods I take as health supplements.  Apple cider vinegar helps with bloating.  I take it before or during each meal.  The brand I use is Bragg Apple Cider Vinegar because it's GMO free and organic.
I take my dairy kefir once a day.  Kefir is a live culture probiotic.  It helps keep you regular.  Kefir is used to cleanse your body of toxic chemicals, pollution, and radiation.  I either drink it raw or make a fruit smoothie out of it.  The kind I use is a dairy kefir, but there are also nondairy versions.

These are vitamins/ health supplements I take every now and then:

Echinacea:  When I feel a cold coming or people around me are getting sick, I boost my immune system with Echinacea.  I usually alternate this with Astaxanthin.  The best time to take Echinacea is as soon as you feel a cold coming.

Whey Protein "Miracle Whey" (Dr. Mercola):  This particular type of whey protein is better for you than any other whey.  It comes from grass fed cows.  I take this when I work out more than usual, or need an extra energy boost.  I have one serving of this in a smoothie that consists of raw eggs, raw milk, and coconut shreds.  The banana flavor is my absolute favorite!  It's great for breakfast or as a post workout drink.  When I have this, I run further and faster and have more energy throughout the day.  Buy it here.

Beyond Tangy Tangerine:  This is the best multi vitamin ever.  The only reason why I don't have it every day is because it's expensive lol.  It's fast acting and you could actually feel it working.  It gives you an energy boost without the crash.  This is especially good for those who are overweight or obese because it gives you the minerals your body craves.  Weight gain and obesity are caused by mineral dificiencies (as are many diseases and chronic illnesses).  So Beyond Tangy Tangerine could actually be sold as a weight loss supplement.  Google "Beyond Tangy Tangerine weight loss" to see people's before and after pictures.  I would recommend taking either this or the multi vitamin from purity products.  I don't think you need both :)  One or the other will do.  Buy it here.


If you're going to choose just one of these, I'd say either take Astaxanthin or the Krill oil.  You could actually take both like I do but either one is fine.  Krill oil has astaxanthin in it.  Plus, a bottle of astaxanthin itself is expensive.  It really depends on what you need as an individual.  Everybody is different.   Be sure you read the directions on all of these and take as directed.

All of these products I've listed are completely 100% natural.  I am not getting paid nor compensated to tell you any of this.  These are products I personally use and believe in.

If you try some of these, let me know how it works out!

xoxo

Azu

Mellow Yellow

Wearing:
Vintage yellow wool sweater
Vintage oversized pearl necklace
Joe's Jeans roll up shorts
White polka dot tights
White leather Keds
Clinique lipgloss & lipstick duo (Mystique & Shy)

If my knees look puffier and pinker than usual, it's because they are.  I fell and scraped both knees, which is totally annoying.  It makes getting dressed a lot harder because I have to dodge my puffy bloody knees.  Ugh...

Speaking of dodging disgusting things...this week is National TSA Opt Out and Film week.  If you're traveling this week and you happen to be picked by some TSA agent to be radiated or "patted down," you  should know that you actually have the right to refuse.  You can opt out and participate in this event by recording and uploading the video to youtube.  I won't be flying this week, but if I were flying...you can bet your stilettos I would be opting out and recording it.  I don't know about you guys, but being felt up by a stranger doesn't sound fun AT ALL.  Especially when they don't change their gloves...after they touch people's underwear...and beyond.  Yes...they even touch crotches!  Sometimes they go inside people's underwear.  Look it up if you don't believe me.  There is a picture floating around the internet where TSA agents even looked inside a baby's diaper.  Google it.  And poor Miss America claimed that they went inside her when they searched her.  You can google that too.



This is the kind of thing that can get worse if we let it.  We shouldn't have to choose between the lesser of two evils (naked body scanner vs. public grope down).  That isn't freedom.

"Anyone who trades liberty for security deserves neither liberty nor security." - Benjamin Franklin

xoxo and Happy grope-free Thanksgiving!

Azu