Journal Inspiration

Hey everybody!

I've recently gotten better at keeping journals around for lists and ideas and such. I have to admit, my favorite part of getting a new journal is decorating them! Moleskine journals are perfect for this, because they come in a variety of solid colors, and I really like the how the pages are lined, the spacing is perfect for my small handwriting.

This first journal is covered in Egyptian stamps. At some point when I was in middle school, I really wanted to collect stamps. I'm not sure why I wanted to, but I didn't collect very many. It turns out stamp collecting is easier when you actually send and receive letters. Anyways, when I spotted a stamp booklet in a gift shop in Egypt, I grabbed them immediately and really never had a use for them until now. I currently use this journal (fittingly, I might add) to document my attempts at learning Arabic.

This second journal has an instagram photo of mine pasted onto it. I really liked the idea of cutting up pictures, and interlacing two together. However, I accidentally cut the one shown here vertically, and the other horizontally. Thus, I decided to just use one photo for this journal. I mostly use this journal for various lists and things to remember.

The last journal I made myself from an old H&M bag. The inside is filled with 8.5 x 11 printer paper cut in half. The key to getting the papers to lie flat is to cut half of them with 1 inch slits at the top and bottom, along halfway fold. The other half of your papers should have a giant slit down the middle, beginning and ending 1 inch from their respective borders. You should then be able to slide 1 paper with top and bottom cuts inside 1 paper with the giant lengthwise cut, and stack accordingly. Stapling the papers together also works just fine.

I hope you enjoyed!
<3 Lucero

Song of the Day: Don't Let Me Fall by Lenka

Burgundy Cats

Hi everybody!

Today's outfit is super fun! The main piece are these lovely burgundy shorts. I love how they have pockets and the cutest cat pattern all over! I even matched my lip color to the shorts. I tucked in a flowy white tee, that helped give a little shape to the look. I threw on tights so that my legs wouldn't get chilly - haha just kidding! I just liked the way the dark shoes and tights helped tie the look in.

I hope you enjoyed!
<3 Lucero

white text printed tee - Mango | burgundy cat shorts - Forever 21 | black tights - American Eagle Outfitters | necklace - AEO | black oxfords - Aldo

Song of the Day: Momma's Boy by Elizabeth & the Catapult

Blushing Rose Sweater

Hey everybody!

Today's outfit is very girly and feminine. I pulled out this light blush colored sweater top I totally forgot I had! It's super comfortable and I like the three-quarter length sleeves. This flowy floral skirt is actually a dress, I just have the upper portion tucked inward. I added neutral accessories to tie in the light color scheme.

I hope you enjoyed!
<3 Lucero

light blush sweater - H&M | versatile floral dress - American Eagle Outfitters | wooden bracelet - Costa Rica | brown woven flats - Target

Song of the Day: Buy The Stars by Marina and the Diamonds

Pearls and Polka Dots

Hey everybody!

Today's outfit is what I'd wear out to brunch, or out shopping with my friends. The gray top is actually a dress that is rather bland on its own. The bright blue polka dotted skirt adds a nice punch of color! I threw on these gorgeous pearls, as well. The flower isn't part of the necklace, it's a hair clip that I though would be a lovely addition to the piece. I also figured out how to curl my hair nicely with a heatless method, so I was having a ball shaking my head about!

I hope you enjoyed!
<3 Lucero

gray dress top - Forever 21 | blue polka dot skirt - J Crew | black flats - Zara | pearls - Qatar | flower hair clip - Anthropologie | assorted rings - Brandy Mellvile

Song of the Day: Counting Stars by OneRepublic

DIY Jack-O-Lantern Nails

Hey everybody!

I've been really fascinated with nail design recently, and really wanted to come up with one of my own. My nail beds are really small, so it can be hard to recreate super intricate designs. However, this jack-o-lantern design is both seasonal AND suitable for small nails, so it's a win-win!

The two polishes I used for this design are Butter London's Union Jack Black, and Ruffian's Fox Hunt.

First, paint your nails with the base color. If needed, apply two coats for full opacity.

 Using a toothpick or a nail design tool of your choice, draw in the two triangles for the eyes. It's easier if you press the color in, rather than try to brush it on.

 Next, draw in the smile. I found the easiest way was to draw the smile with a single missing tooth. Any more than that, and it gets really complicated.

Finally, draw on thin lines longitudinally. These give your nails that pumpkin-like effect. You're done!

I hope you enjoyed!
<3 Lucero

Song of the Day: Your Song as sung by Ellie Goulding 

Flora and Fauna

Hey everybody!
Today's outfit is very casual and easygoing. It's been a favorite of mine throughout the summer, because I adore the three-quarter length tee. It's a lovely fit, and I think the combination of stripes and florals is a very interesting pattern. I also love the cross body bag, because it's vibrant and provides a pop of color for any outfit. It's also surprisingly roomy, as I can even fit my iPad mini in it! I was very proud of my hair today, I managed to wrangle it into a twisted updo and cinch the side with a cute feather clip.

I hope you enjoyed!
<3 Lucero

striped and floral shirt - J Crew | light wash denim shorts - Gap | brown woven flats - Target | pink crossbody bag - Rebecca Minkoff | feather hair clip - Anthropologie

Song of the Day: Settle Down by Kimbra

Crazy About Paisley

Hey everybody!

Today's outfit is really casual and cute. I absolutely adore paisley print, and wish I had more in my closet. The skirt shown here is actually a dress that I've had for absolute ages. The top portion is rather ill-fitting, so to fix that problem, I threw on a chambray button down and tied it at the waist. I toted a silver clutch, with matching bangles and hair clip.

I hope you enjoyed!
<3 Lucero

chambray button down shirt - H&M | paisley printed dress - unknown | bangles - Forever 21 | silver clutch - Sephora | black flats - Zara

Song of the Day: Hurt You by The Sounds