COFFEE BREAK

Come back soon for some food for thought.

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SO LITTLE TIME

[Forever21 sweater//Rhapsody dress//Target shoes//Francesca's glasses & ring//Cartier ring//Gifted bracelet]

Ever have one of those moments when there's so much going on in your head and despite having your best friend their to vent to, you can't come up with any words to say? Yea, well that happened to me last night... None the less, when I've figure out how to say what I'm thinking, you guys will know!

To sorting your thoughts,

Elisa

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TODAYS DETAILS, TOMORROWS BIG PICTURE

[Card I made//Francesca's ring//Francesca's glasses]

Admire the little pieces that make up the big picture, because it's the intent behind each single, that makes the whole so beautiful.

Curating your best life-

one piece at a time,

Elisa

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EXPOSING GRADUATION

[H&M top//Layered American Eagle sample necklaces//Claire's glasses//Charlotte Russe jeans//Seychelles boots]

One thing I enjoyed most about college was discussions in class. I learned so much in these moments. Not only about curriculum, matter of fact it was rare if we stayed on topic, but rather, about life and myself. One of these moments happened yesterday; it was my last one. *Surge of nausea.* It was so profound I hope to remember it, always.

Ever see someone and want to be their friend? Not because they're dressed well or because they are 'cool', but because you feel some gravitational-pull-thing toward them? Well, it's pretty cool. But try explaining that to a stranger-but-really-a-soulmate-kinda-person. Well the person this profound moment centered around, was one of those people to me. It was her moving statement that hit me like a ton of bricks. It's when I whispered, "I knew I liked her."

She, like myself, was in a relationship for a number of years. As you can imagine, she knew her boyfriend intimately. Or so she thought. No, it's not one of those stories. They were at a festival, amongst tons of people, standing in a park, facing a stage-if I remember correctly-and the announcer asked everyone to close their eyes. Well there are always some cheaters in the crowd and she was one of them this time. This was an awareness festival. He asked the participants to raise their hand if they'd ever attempted suicide. Imagine her astonishment, when her partner raised his hand...

There aren't words to describe that heart break. She told us about the devastation in finding out her closest companion had struggled so deeply, without her knowing. You experience this sense of disgust with yourself. How could you not have noticed? I've had one of these moments.

She's expressed her sincerest appreciation for the complexity of humanity. How you can never imagine another person's struggle. I honestly try hard to remind myself of this daily. But, it's hard. I was angry at myself for not trying harder. And honestly, I'm a victim of this same judgement every day.

I'm a fashion girl. I'm usually friendly and out going. I'm an achiever. I like participating in class. I strive to excel. I'm a girly girl. I get excited over baked goods and home decor. I think about my one-day wedding often and what my babies will look like. And unfortunately, people write me off. They'd rather calculate then understand. Yes, I'm all these things, but I'm so much more. I'm longing for more. I desire spirituality and intellect. I want to understand the globe's varying cultures and experience the world. I want to learn languages and find peace of mind. I want to overcome my need for more and my inability to appreciate the now to the fullest. I've earned everything I have. Yet, I struggle with loneliness and anxiety.

The act of graduating has exposed a lot. You've got a life to fill with whatever you choose. You can play by the book or make up your own rules. You are who you are, but you can always grow. Everyone struggles to be themselves in one way or another. Live with tolerance, better yet acceptance.

To soaking up the world-

and it's teachings,

Elisa

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FASHBAR AT WORK VIA MY i{WISH}PHONE

Chanel books, fancy coffees & sunshine through the window.

To doing what you love-

in every facet of life,

Elisa

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BUBBLE GUM BOTTOMS

Mint & original.

Graduating this week-

plz excuse this simplicity,

Elisa

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GRANDADDY SQUARE

There's nothing like a rainy day dinner, even if it was preceded by the biggest cluster of a trip to school-including bus stops with no bus arrival, broken umbrellas, soaking wet tights and a two hour trip for a two mile distance. But then again, a cozy grandpa sweater and a friend you can really count on makes you forget all about it! I've been spending a lot of time in Market Square and have really fallen in love with its charm. I can't wait for summer time in the area, surrounded by beautiful buildings, yummy smells and bursts of laughter! There is so much going on these days, so many decisions, it's stressful! But with the support of great people and faith in myself and my future, I'm pushing through it. Here's to pushing, pushing through self doubt, nagging thoughts and shitty circumstances. Cause you know what? You've got tomorrow! If you aren't happy with how you did it before, try again!

To not being so hard on yourself,

Elisa

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COBALT REMIX

[Erin London jacket//Forever 21 shirt//Target scarf, leggings & boots//H&M skirt//Nixon Watch]

So if you're anything of a blog reader, you're not a stranger to clothes remixes. And truthfully, I do a lot of that in 'real' life. I don't have a car and I'm usually armed with a small bag of clothes. During the weekends I do a lot of house hopping between my boyfriend's, family's and friends' places. So besides late night single-load laundry extravaganzas, I've learned how to master mixing up outfits and using things creatively. I'm pretty good at stealing clothes too-I've got a stash of brightly colored socks that used to be my Momma's and baggy pants that used to be Doug's.

The other day I shared an outfit with you that I'd thrown on for class, honestly I wasn't that happy with it once I saw the pictures. So today, I used similar pieces to put together a look that would be suitable for the work place, or at least sweet work places like mine. ;) I feel much more confident and put together in this version of it. One of the things I love most about clothes, how the slightest adjustment in styling can lend a whole new attitude. The sun kisses through the windows might be helping a bit too.

To admitting you did bad-

and doing it better next time,

Elisa

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THEY SAY IT'S LIKE A BLINK OF AN EYE

Remember when your toesies where this big? Well, me neither, but from what I understand it doesn't seem like that long ago to other people. It's amazing how milestones make you reflect on life. My last campus class is next week... yea, I'm graduating college! I feel like I'm gonna start going grey soon! It's hard to not look back and wonder if you'd made the right decisions, to think of what different decisions could've yielded and worry about when you'll get to accomplish the things you'd planned on experiencing by now. And as much as I'd like to give some enlightening advice, all I can say is that you're not alone in your worrying. And truthfully, though my heart hurts and yearns from different circumstances sometimes, I trust in life and now that one day soon, I'll make what I want to happen, happen. Just set goals; realistic goals. Write them down. Read them everyday. Adjust the goal as needed. And most importantly, stay positive!

Were all in this together-

believe in dreams,

Elisa

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CUDDLING WITH SISTER E S T H E R

My roomie was awesome enough to pass on this fabulous brand from Australia, Esther. I've picked a few of my favorites, similar to what I did here. But they've also got a number of beautiful pieces in soft mints, solid blacks and hott reds. I'm totally crushing on the geometric shapes perfectly paired with my favorite hues. And that's not the only thing I'm absolutely smitten with, check out their tumblr...I shouldn't admit how many photos I've put into my 'inspiration' folder already.

To staying inspired-

and discovering your style,

Elisa

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ITS ELECTRIC

[My lazy day yoga/dance-inspired uniform, silly winter boots and yes, my background is my cat.]

Mornin'! Let me start by saying sorry! So sorry I left you guys stranded for a week! This graduating stuff is no joke! Neither are online classes, but that'll have to be another post...

Anyway, you know that school I visited yesterday? Well, they're doing amazing things on such a ridiculously small budget. It's called CAPA. We were privileged enough to watch a beautiful piano recital, these. kids. are. TALENTED. My belly did flips on several occasions (that's my equivalent to chills). Then CAPA's principle, Mrs. Pearlman, sat down to talk to us. She explained their philosophies and the struggles they're facing financially. We even had a chance to hear from a few students. If I could've pulled out my wallet right there-and made any real difference-I would've! It's amazing to see the passion in these children and it's amazing what that does to you. I'm not even sure I could explain it.

CAPA believes in teaching 6-12 grade non stop, this helps alleviate difficult adjustments. They believe in what the arts can offer as not only a career, but to the soul and to making a great person. Apparently, there have been a number of studies that show measurable difference in cognition in students that have been exposed to the arts, and those who haven't. The motto in which they followed when building their facility was, "color should pop and spaces should move." Needless to say, I wanted to go there!

We often talk, here at FashBar, about inspiration and awareness, and yesterday was one of those days that really helped reignite those for me. It's amazing how just when you're starting to slump something can pop up, out of the blue, and put you right. Realize that everyone has their own struggle. And that if we chose to help each other rather than get over on one another, we'd get even further, together.

**The only good thing about this icky, old phone? The unexpected surprise of matching your outfit perfectly!**

To the reward of being 

part of your community,

Elisa

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NEAPOLITAN METROPOLITAN

We had a surprise field trip to a local high school for the arts today. It was inspiring to see all these little people with big dreams. It humbles you in a way, makes you realize you're the same thing to someone 5 years older than you. Sammie and I took the long way back, buying treats and taking photos. So here's what we saw on our way. Yummy popcorn and ice cream flavored nail polish. It was a great afternoon!

To sweet surprises,

Elisa

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