12.31.2014

did it with a bang || 2014













I predicted everything but Kimye, because no one saw that coming

This is it. The very last day of 2014. I said I wouldn't get emotional....so I won't. 2014 was an amazing year, maybe the best of my 17 years' of existence thus far, full of things that I dreamed of and things I never imagined. A lot of them played out in front of you guys, whether it was here on the blog or captured in a snapchat story. I collected the big moments (that I can tell you about) for this post so we wouldn't forget any of them. Let's start from the start:

1.  FEBRUARY: I went to New York City for the very first time for 24 hours, and it was cold. Really cold. I met Laura Brown, toured Teen Vogue, and ate pizza with gloves on.
2. MARCH: My first award show (awww bby Justina) was a whirlwind of selfies, stopping traffic for Bella Hadid (like she can't do that on her own) and perching precariously.
3. MAY: Prom with the homegirls. This years dresses were even snazzier, and we looked really good in In n Out. Teen Vogue agreed.
4. ALSO MAY: I graduated high school, a year early. Gabrielle made me a very sassy cake.
5. JULY: Germany won the World Cup, and I was psyched because soccer is the only sport I truly understand. You all found out I have a weak grasp of the German language and why that matters.
6. STILL JULY: Stalked celebs in Burbank with Sallie while drinking the best pina colada smoothie I've ever had.
7. AUGUST: Back to my favorite city and the carpets that populate it for the Teen Choice Awards, where I finally met Rebecca in person, selfie'd with anyone who stopped for a millisecond, hijacked the photobooth, and forced Charlie Rowe to re-follow me on Twitter. Josh Hutcherson was also involved.
8. OCTOBER: I turned 17. We skated. My friends are dorks. I love them.
9. ALSO OCTOBER: I was Barbie for Halloween and it was a rousing success, plus my rollerskating skills were finally put to use.
10. NOVEMBER: Katie and I went to Hoodie Allen and it was one of the best decisions of my life. (Future reference: doing anything with Katie is a good idea.)
11. STILL NOVEMBER: The ocean was beautiful and I'm obsessed with this photo. That's all.
12. DECEMBER: Groovy stuff I'm not allowed to tell you about yet but oooh pretty lights

What a wild year. Somewhere in all of that I started college, became a 2014-15 California 4-H State Ambassador, learned some Italian, landed a feature in Barbie magazine, drank a lot of coffee, binged on Game of Thrones, wrote for the New York Times, got a wikipedia page, interviewed some amazing people, made new friends, and generally did my thang. More of you guys showed up, and we had some laughs. (I think. Yes? Maybe.)

 I have one resolution: 2015 will be the year of the Texan proverbs. Go bigger, because going home isn't an option. 

2015 is going to be absolutely insane. Trust me. It's about to get VERY real.

See you on the flip side, don't be late.

x Justina
 




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12.28.2014

who's afraid of the big bad bears



Photos taken by Anouk with a Fujifilm X30

NEXT WEEK IS NEXT YEAR.

Just needed to announce that. It's officially the last weekend of 2014. I'll get sappy about it on Wednesday.

Arianna and I made the grave mistake of going to the mall (ew) the Monday before Christmas, and the only good thing that came out of it was these fluffy bear hoodies. They're snuggly. We of course then dragged Anouk about to take photos of us and she made some magic.  It was especially impressive considering that both of us looked gross and mall-y.

IT'S THE LAST SUNDAY OF DECEMBER. That means one last giveaway. I decided to give away one more of the most popular prize: a Justina box, filled with little tchotchke's I love.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

As usual, you've got a week to get ya entries in. Don't forget to fill out ALL the boxes, because it makes me extremely sad when I pick a winner and then you didn't actually write your name. Say your name, say your name.

How was everyone's Christmas/Hanukkah/assorted winter festivities? Did you eat loads? I did. I also got a new pink suitcase named Lorinda, who you will be meeting verrrry soon.

*the suspense is set*

x J


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12.25.2014

a holly jolly justina

photo taken with fujifilm x30


Merry Christmas homeskillets!

 I hope you all are having an absolutely lovely holiday full of cookies, embarrassing sweaters, 
and too many holiday specials. (if that even exists).
(it doesn't)

See you under the lights, tree,
 and/or poisonous plant we like to hang in door frames this time of year.
x J



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12.21.2014

buddha claus // third sunday of december


Dogeared necklace shot with Fujifilm x30

WOW THIS WEEK HAS BEEN GREAT. MUCH POSITIVE. SUCH OPTIMISTIC. 

 Buddha says....enter this week's giveaway. I mean, he would. If he could talk. And wasn't tiny. and a necklace. The good news is that because he is, YOU CAN WIN HIM.

(That was probably my best lead-in yet.) 

For the 3RD SUNDAY OF DECEMBER, I am giving away a gold Dogeared Buddha necklace! I am really excited about this one because I wear my Buddha every day, and it's a simple reminder to keep thinkin' about chill things. For this giveaway, the instructions are a little different, so pay close attention. Bonus points are a'jingling.

a Rafflecopter giveaway  

CHRISTMAS IS IN FOUR DAYS OH MY GOSH. Can you beliEVE I haven't even seen Elf ONCE this month? I am a disgrace. My Christmas tree has been up since the turkey cleared on Thanksgiving, and my dad has more lights on our house than Clark Griswold. That's just how we roll. How does your family celebrate? Any special traditions, or - more importantly - recipes?
All I want to do is make ginger bread houses, and eat cookie dough, and go ice skating, and maybe even hold hands. Probably watch Elf a couple dozen times, just to make sure nothings changed.


If Santa somehow lost your list, just remember - if you were really nice this year,  
you might even win a Dogeared necklace.

x J


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12.18.2014

I'll spend an hour with sam


It's still raining (I know) and I feel like talking about Sam Smith (like always),
 so here's ten things that are great about Sam Smith.

1. His voice.
2. The fact that he cites Amy Winehouse as his biggest inspiration. Same.
3. You can hear that inspiration in his music.
4. Oh yeah, his music. That he writes himself.
5. He makes slow songs that don't feel like the worst part of a middle school dance.
6. He pulls an Adele whenever he performs. It's just him, the lights, and sometimes, ASAP Rocky.
7. LYRICS. He's a male Taylor Swift, and his game is on her level.
8. This "pre-fame but still radder than the average" interview.
9.  He's Alfie Allen's third cousin. (Yes, he's related to Lily Allen too but gAME OF THRONES.)
10. He's Sam Smith.

His music is interesting in its simplicity. It is unapologetically honest, and I think there's something beautiful in that. His music is not music you get obsessed with, then forget about in a month. It's music that you form a low burning love for.  You feel it, even if you in no way relate. Sort of like me and Wes Anderson films, or you guys and my humor.

I can't even remember what the point of this was except that I am in love with Like I Can.

Okay, time to go paddle out my back yard. Serious question: do you think The Ark has wifi?

x J

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12.14.2014

sunshine on a cloudy day || SECOND SUNDAY OF DECEMBER GIVEAWAY

Holla at LA for the long lost thowback post


It's beginning to look a lot like (not at all like) Christmassss. So let's talk about summer.

Now, if you live in California, you know that we only have summer and cold summer, and you should just skip this part and go straight to entering the giveaway. Everyone else: summer means sunshine. Sunshine is great, until you realize that you can't see, which brings me to.....

THE SECOND SUNDAY OF DECEMBER GIVEAWAY. (you saw it coming)

I'm pairing up with our homeskittles at ZeroUV to give away not one, but TWO pair of sunglasses. (see: gift guide)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

If you happen to have one of those "winter" things, these will also maybe help with the piercing reflections I've heard come off snow. And they keep water off your eyeliner, if you're willing to put up with the darkness that will engulf you when you wear sunglasses in the rain. 

As a final perk: if you wear sunglasses inside and someone asks why, you get to say
"Because my future is too bright."

x J


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12.11.2014

let me guide you to christmas: a gift guide



I sound like a liar but I promise it's the truth - I love giving gifts, even more than getting them. Finding someone that perfect thingIt's usually something they didn't even realize they wanted until they saw that you had it and tried to steal it. That's how you know it's perfect.

In the spirit of proper gift guide making, I did what Oprah does it -
 I had a bunch of other people suggest things they love. Then I veto'd them all and picked things I love. It got pretty long, but let's have a little breakdown:

1: Dogeared necklaces are the fastest way to show the love
and this Buddha brings some extra happy karma.

2: DOCS DOCS DOCS HOLOGRAPHIC SNAKESKIN DOCS.

3: If you live on the Best Coast, you can buy friendship with sunglasses.

4: My pink Casio is a statement piece, but gold is a perfectly matching classic.

5: Stella & Bow studs are the perfect basic to build an ear party with.

6: Girl Boss = girl (and boy) bible.

7: Minimergency kits are the perfect gift for that person whose entire life is an emergency. 
*cough* me *cough*

8: You know that one friend who refuses to get on twitter but comes up with perfect one-liners?   
Get them a Leuchtterm 1917 notebook.

9: The greatest gift you can give anyone is a good set of earbuds. Trust me and Happy Plugs. 

10: Boring sneakers are boring, get leopard print Vans instead.

11: Sunny Dushanka backpacks are the solution to style vs space.

12:  Benetint is always a benefit. (I'm sorry)
This list actually goes on for ages, you can check it out here.  I'll also be updating it constantly until Christmas, because fresh finds ya know.
Don't forget: the best gift you can give the people you love is a happy loved one, 
so get yourself some presents too. (Airtight logic)

x Justina, Santa in Training
       

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12.07.2014

swamp witch || first sunday of december giveaway


 

DRESS c.o. LIVING DOLL LA
KIMONO c.o. ELEMENT EDEN
BOOTS : DR.MARTENS
PURSE : PEPA LOVES

So here is what happened: 
Netflix put the entire season of Coven on this morning at midnight. Since then, I have watched  seven episodes. I don't know how, or when. It just happened. Now, I have strong black rings under my eyes, and a stronger desire for black clothing. I am, however, always more Misty Day than Zoe Benson in my soul, and thus this kimono is the perfect topper. No swamp mud though, sorry.

IT'S THE FIRST DECEMBER OF SUNDAY. Wait. FIRST SUNDAY OF DECEMBER.
This means PRESENTS. As you know, every week of December I give away a little somethin-somethin from one of my favorite brands. To get things rolling, this week one of you lucky ducks will be getting a surprise parcel from me filled to the brim with things I love.

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Let's get this thing a'jingling.

x Justina

ps. this song totally should have been the Coven themesong.

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12.05.2014

more stripes and sunshine








SHIRT : MIAMASVIN
JEANS : FOREVER 21
HEELS  c.o. B.C. FOOTWEAR
SUNNIES c.o. ZEROUV
NECKLACES c.o. DOGEARED
BACKPACK c.o. SUNNY DUSHANKA
 
 I have two settings - stripes or sweaters. There's honestly no inbetween at this point. 

It is utterly RIDICULOUS that I can dress like this in December. 
California, you're beginning to upset me with your persistence in the face of proper winter weather. The sun can take a holiday over the holidays, okay?

I've talked about all of this before so just enjoy the fact that I have found yet another way to style a striped shirt. Going for a world record. I will say, however, that these jeans are 500% better than I expected. I bought them in a cranberry-sauce-induced haze around 12:45am on Black Friday, and promptly forgot about them. Then they arrived, and I was fully expecting them to tear the moment they touched air, but surprise surprise. Of course, they don't fit in the waist, but you can only have it all in one pair at a time. 

Who's ready for Sunday? 
It's the first Sunday of December, and that means two things:

1. My mum will light the advent wreath and we will all hold our breath and hope it doesn't completely go up in flames.
2. FIRST SUNDAY OF DECEMBER GIVEAWAY.
 You know you've been waiting for it. Or you haven't and now you've been pleasantly surprised.

See you on Sunday.

x Justina

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12.01.2014

leopard print moons




sweater c.o. element eden
jeans c.o. dstld
sneakers : vans
umbrella : ikea

Fun fact:
 if you try and take outfit photos in the rain, no matter how fly your outfit is, two things will happen:
1. 9/10 photos will be blurry and rainspotted.
2. You will inevitably get splashed with a puddle.

 This sweater is perfect. Not only does it totally fall into that "lightweight but cuddly" category, but it perfectly channels the borderline spookiness of it's namesake state, Louisiana. If you've seen AHS: Coven, you know that Nawlins is where the witches ah.

BUT BACK ON POINT. I have a lot I want to talk about so lets roll in:

1| Black Friday was really scary. There are CRAZY people out there folks. I didn't even try to shop, but I work in the mall, so it simply couldn't be avoided. I just sort of...slipped into the Vans store. I swear.  Next thing I know, I'm on the ground floor with a bag and a pair of leopard print sneakers. I haven't taken them off yet. They're so flat, it's insane.

2| How was everyone's Thanksgiving? Did you eat loads? I sat at the table an extra hour because I couldn't move. (But don't tell my mum, she thought it was because I was enjoying her pie.)

3| IT'S DECEMBER. How insane is that? December is busiest month of the year, both in "real life" and here. If you're new, here's a quick rundown of all the fun stuff:
 - Four Sundays of December - every Sunday of December I host a week-long giveaway. YAY PRESENTS.
 - A Bent Piece Of Wire Awards - Starting Friday, you can send in your nominations for the best of this year, from models to magazines.
 - SO MANY OUTFIT POSTS. Christmas parties, gift exchanges, New Years!! This is the month of the many outfit swaps.
 - *Really Big Top Secret News* I can't tell you about this yet.

Time to bust out the cookies and Christmas lights - it's about to get real jolly up in here.

x Justina




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