Forever 21 Finds

Every time I get a compliment on an outfit and am asked where it’s from, the answer is always Forever 21! I often hear, “Oh, I can’t shop there. It’s too hard to find things.” I think that’s one thing I love about shopping there though.. I enjoy a good challenge. It’s like searching through a thrift store, not knowing if you’re going to find anything or not.. But, when you do, it’s oh so satisfying! I am also balling on a budget and don’t enjoy repeating outfits often, (especially on my Instagram) so I prefer to buy more affordable clothing. (Unless I’m splurging on a staple piece.) This blog features items from my last Forever 21 haul. I collaborated with Amar Kahlon- @ShotsbyAK for these effortless street looks. It was a really fun shoot. We enjoyed great conversation and Insomnia Cookies!!

Here are my Forever 21 finds and my five tips to shopping there.

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5 Tips for Shopping at Forever 21 

1.

Know what you’re looking for. Last time I went in knowing I wanted some business chic trousers that I could wear to work, white boots, sunglasses, and a cute top. Guess what I found!? All of those things!

2.

Don’t be afraid of the clearance rack. They purposely put the clearance rack in the back with bad lighting. There are always some cute in season items hiding on the clearance rack. The orange striped top I’m wearing above was off the clearance rack!

3.

Don’t be scared to size up. Last time I was there, every cute sweatshirt or t-shirt was cropped. I personally don’t like wearing cropped shirts often. I like to size up from a small to a large to make that cropped t-shirt more of a mid-crop, oversized look.

4.

Be daring. Forever 21 is full of edgy looks that you may be scared to take on. Find an edgy piece and pair it with something from home that’s more simple. I bought plaid trousers, but instead of buying the matching plaid jacket, I paired it with a casual white baggy shirt to tone down the look.

5.

Shop their shoes and accessories. Maybe you can’t find that cute going out dress, but their shoe and accessory sections never disappoint, and then you don’t have to deal with the dressing room lines! Plus, if you’re like me, I always lose my jewelry, so it’s best that I buy affordable jewelry.

I hope this helps! Let me know your go-to affordable clothing store in the comments. 🙂

“Nostalgic Narrative” – A Poetic Lookbook

NOSTALGIA is when you look back and feel an old familiar happiness. Those memories aren’t always real. Sometimes, the flashbacks are fabricated and might not be what you really experienced.

I worked with Photographer, Bishoppe Kamusinga to compile a lookbook of three styles that make me feel nostalgic. Each of these looks are so classic to me. I love the fun patterns, the burnt orange tones, and the free spirited mood of this shoot. I hope every image and poetic line takes you to a different place, somewhere nostalgic.

Look #1: 70’s Chic

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I want to let go, but I keep hanging on.

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I told myself I wouldn’t look back, but my reflection reminded me of you, my twin flame.

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Never enough time, but always enough time for you to cross my mind.

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The sun gleaming against my skin. For a second, it feels inspiriting, and then the hot memory of you burns my skin.

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I wake up everyday and think “Today is the day, I will finally forget all the good times with you.”

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I wish it was that easy.

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I wish I could truly control my mind.

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No matter how much I distract myself, the thoughts, the memories, the nostalgia, always pulls me back.

Look #2 Free Spirited Fashion

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I never wanted life without you.

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I don’t think you did either.

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You let everyone and everything tear us apart.

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You left me broken.

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It still feels like a nightmare.

Look #3 Dated Dress

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A nightmare that repeats every single night.

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You left me no other choice, but to say goodbye.

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Goodbye to our dreams, goodbye to the nightmares.

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Goodbye to the

NOSTALGIA-

noun

a wistful desire to return in thought or in fact to a former time in one’s life, to one’s home or homeland, or to one’s family and friends; a sentimental yearning for the happiness of a former place or time

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Hello to new memories, a new mindfulness. A life without you filling the spaces in my head and my heart.