If I were taking one of those magazine ‘What is your style?’ quizzes, I know right off the bat there would be no option for me. I’m not glam rock, definitely not vintage-girly, not entirely preppy and not a “hipster”. I read fashion blogs and admire how their writers dress as if out of the same fashion line — cohesive yet different. But that’s not me!

I get all dolled up at night and go Tiger Lily on you during the day. There is no clear-cut pattern in my wardrobe, and I’m starting to come to terms with it. Some say I’m classic, others eclectic. But why put yourself in a category box at all? I wear what I like, what makes me feel best. If I must be put into a box, that’s the category I’d like to fall under.

That said, reading over Nubby’s post on personal style signatures, I found that while I don’t limit myself to the confined walls of one single style, there are some recurring style choices in my fashion history:

• Above all, simplicity. You will find about four patterned pieces in my closet altogether, and they are all florals. I also don’t do layering very well (I’ll go as far as two layers before feeling like a complete fool!)
• Plenty of neutral basics.
• Bodycon anything.
• Nailpolish. My favs: mint green, bubblegum pink, red & burgundy.
• Smokey eyes & syrup lips. I don’t like perfect makeup, and I feel the smokey eye is ideal for making my eyes stand out in a natural almost effortless manner. MAC Syrup lipstick is also a daily fav.
• Flats. I only wear heels when going out, or to a fancy dinner; otherwise it’s flats all the way for me!
• Statement accessories. Accessories actually bother me a lot of the time; I find them impractical, which puts me in a predicament as I own so many you’d think they were ‘my thing’. I’ll usually only wear a necklace, or a bracelet, or a big chunky ring, but never all at the same time. I can’t go out without earrings on though! As for sunglasses/hats/bandanas, they don’t exist for me.
• Oversized bags. I don’t know how to live without them and struggle to jam everything into a tiny purse for night outings :(

Basically if I’m going to be worrying about an outfit while wearing it, it’s not for me. Everything I wear I do because a) I absolutely love it b) it fits well and c) I am comfortable in it. That’s all there is to it for me, really!

What are your style signatures?

Hi lovelies! I’ve decided to make Lemon Soda up differently again, this time using a simple and brighter theme for the summer. I’ll continue with the 40 Steps tomorrow, the next one will be in the Living Space category so don’t miss it! Hope everyone’s weekend is going well.

(If you watched Eurovision like me (I don’t even know why I do it!), what did you think? Honestly I think they should get rid of it, as it is completely political and not based on the actual songs. At least, I thought Azerbaijan had the best song. Serbia and Moldova were fun as well.)

See you tomorrow :)

A year ago today I was running around Beijing, finishing Mandarin exams and packing my apartment into a tiny suitcase! I’d melt just stepping outside onto the busy roads of crazy bicycles and illegal taxis. The entire month of June seemed to drag out and I wondered if I’d ever make it to August. But as usual things always fall into place, one way or another!

Today I’m in Spain, done with first year Psych and running around planning my summer this time. Thanks universe for making everything happen!

Where were you a year ago today?

How has everyone’s weekend been?

[IF YOU HAVE YET TO SEE THE LOST FINALE, SKIP THIS PARAGRAPH!] I took advantage of the fact that I’m done with exams to catch up on LOST, just in time for the simulcast of the finale this morning! A lot of loose ends regarding what the island, but very fitting emotionally. I’m not gonna lie, I cried; when Kate and Jack finally kiss, I shed a few tears. When Ben apologizes to Locke, I shed a few more. When Hurley offers Ben a chance, more crying happened. By the time Jack was laying down to die with Vincent beside him (‘nobody dies alone’), I was a complete wreck! But besides this amazing storyline that I have been following for so long, I’m going to miss the characters. It’s strange seeing them on Jimmy Kimmel all dressed up, no longer sweaty and ‘lost’. For those of you that are still looking for some sort of closure, I recommend this guy’s take on it: I think it’s bang on.

—————————–

Decisions, decisions. I’d been thinking about writing this post for a while, and ironically it could all be tied into the whole LOST philosophy of choice, fulfilling destinies and moving on.

As I mentioned a few days earlier, I’ve been thinking of where I want to go in life and the things I want to accomplish. I am in university and still living off of my parents, but I think it’s time to branch out and start carving my own way. I feel like being more financially independent will allow me to value things more, and it will give me more control over what I decide to do with my earnings. On the Third Step I talked about spending wisely and saving up; but of course that money will have come from somewhere.

So I am here to ask for your advice today.

I’ve been thinking of opening sponsoring spots at Lemon Soda, as well as affiliating with some amazing people that I feel have a lot to offer to both you guys and myself. But before I take this huge step, I would like to know your opinion. Of course I would only put relevant ads that I feel can only add to your experience as readers. It would mean the world to me if you could tell me your thoughts on this! I think that if I find the right balance, everyone can benefit.

So, lovelies, what do you think?

**Thanks everyone for your input! I really appreciate it!

• Being 21!
• Going to lunch and a lovely little dessert picnic at the Royal Gardens in Madrid with incredibly sweet friends to celebrate.
• eBay. I have been on it for ages and have devised the perfect plan: put in Tom’s address instead, so that postage is equal to almost nothing (as he is in the UK and I’m currently on the hunt for some past TopShop goodies)!
• The sun! Now that the sun is fully out and it is 30+ degrees out, we have all decided to just sit outside and lay on the grass in between classes. Nice way to build a tan ;p
• The fact that in 5 weeks I will be done with exams and hopefully on my way to see Tom in England. It’s almost ridiculous how much I miss that guy.

How about you lovelies! How has this week been, what are your Spring/Summer wishes?

Hi beauties! The only thing that can keep me from blogging is class and work, and lately it’s just been piling on so I have had to skip some posting dates. I hate missing everyone’s posts and just keeping up with the online world, but sometimes it’s good to take little breaks I suppose! Tom arrived in Madrid on Friday, and on Saturday we were off to Avila on a little escapade. It was beautiful; a small city surrounded by a medieval wall behind which stood little churches and houses that might belong in MacBeth or Ever After. Easter parades and desserts, overpriced Cokes and cheesy photo ops were all part of the fun.

I’ve come back with more reasons why I know Tom is my person in the world:

• He always listens to what I have to say, no matter how random, weird, creepy or boring it is
• He makes me feel appreciated and important
• Food is high on his priority list, especially cake
• He doesn’t mind walking across half the city as I continue on my search for the perfect dress
• How easy it is to wind him up, and how fun it is to just be playful and joke about his Britishness that I secretly love
• He also doesn’t mind me spending about an hour at Sephora playing with makeup goodies and having my own makeup done at the counter
• The way he laughs
• He is a big cheeseball and writes songs for me (and plays them whenever a guitar is at hand)
• Lying is definitely not his forte, so he doesn’t even try it
• He makes me smile/laugh even when I am so incredibly pissed off (which I love/hate!!)
• He loves anything art or design related, so museums and galleries are always a fun option. So are design sites.
• Studio Ghibli films are all time favs for both of us
• He manages to make me feel beautiful even on ‘fat’ or ‘blah’ days
• His hotness
• His Britishness
• His everything

How do you think you know when you’ve found your person in the world? A friend or lover who just fits?

Hope everyone has been having an amazing time! I will be making my rounds soon enough to make sure I can catch up with everyone :)

Hello lovelies! The sun has finally come and it is now okay to let my windows open all day long. It is strange how much more awake I feel, I just want to go outside and walk for ages with no predetermined destination until I find a cute little obscure cafe where I can have a nice cold cup of leche merengada.

Spring, is that you?

I have been sorting my life and making exciting plans for next year, none of which I will reveal until they are a sure go. All I can say is that next year I will be extremely busy to say the least, dabbing in all these areas that have interested me for so long. I don’t want to be at the halfway point in life wishing I had done this or that when I was younger. Now is definitely the time, so I am filled to the brim with excitement and all these expectations. I am going to make a turn in my life (or rather, a few!) and I can’t wait!

So to celebrate, I have decided to prepare Lemon Soda’s first giveaway! Would you guys be interested in one? Do let me know! If you have any ideas or would like your product to be featured, email me so we can arrange something!

Thank you guys for always stopping by and all your lovely comments, it means the world to me!

Like the things I love, my pet peeves are endless, but I don’t think about them often so I couldn’t come up with a good list to share. I have negative thoughts, but don’t manifest them out loud (mostly, at least), because negativity just taints everything with a sort of bad energy that feels heavy and I hate feeling heavy. So I focus on little things that my heart loves, like cake and taking Chimbo (a.k.a the cutest 15 year-old “puppy” you’ll ever see) for a walk around the ghostly streets. It’s March and everyone is still hibernating so everything is still and crisp, perfect.

I’m the kind of girl who will eat an extra serving so as not to be a rude guest. I don’t mind cleaning, as long as there is some loud music blasting for me to dance to. I’m so used to seeing my nails painted that I find it weird when they’re bare — clear polish is my bare minimum! Especially on toenails.

I like neon colors, muted colors, neutral colors. All except all the primary colors together.

I can usually see the two sides of the coin in every argument (though out of pride will not show it at times), which comes across as wishy washy for some people. But if there is one thing I have learnt in my 20 years of life so far, it is that there are no absolutes. Every day I find yet another reason for agreeing with Socrates; “I only know that I know nothing”. Everything we perceive with our senses may not be reality; it is just the way our brain decodes what is real for us to understand. What we see is a result of light hitting surfaces, reflecting in our eyes where that nerve impulse travels through to our brain, where it is translated and transformed into what we understand as an image. When I was little I was the kind of girl who worried about the possibility of my pink being someone else’s green.

I am the kind of girl who is a walking contradiction, who wonders about everything and is fascinated by people. So I find it extremely fitting that I went on to study Psychology — I couldn’t be happier!

What kind of girl are you?

1. Language barrier  shmarrier — when your life depends on it your brain will spit out words you never thought you knew!
2. Cup noodles are not a good permanent dinner replacement.
3. Cab drivers are not only full of insight and street smarts, but they are a good source for practicing both listening and speaking.
4. Having a day of the week to sort yourself out is key; laundry, kitchen & bathroom cleaning, bill paying.
5. True friends will always have your back, no matter how drunk you were.
6. That said, finishing two Soju bottles on your own is definitely not a good idea.
7. When you buy tickets to see Tiësto, make sure you’re there 3 hours early or risk not even making it to the dancefloor.
8. Student life is the life.
9. The Great Wall is not so Great after 9 times. If you’re planning on going then get yourself to the old part in ruins; it has not been touched and is beautiful, without all the tourists and vendors around so you can get a nice photo!
10. Government censorship.
11. An afternoon out at Ritan Park, in the boathouse, with dumplings, is an afternoon well spent.
12. Bargain! Anything for sale you can get for less.
13. Hou Hai and the surrounding Hutongs are beautiful, even in the freezing winter; bikes are available for rent so you can explore to your heart’s content! One of my favorite places in Beijing.
14. Coming home at 8am in last night’s getup while everyone’s grandparents are out doing TaiChi does not make you look very good.
15. I want to go back.

It is no secret that I spend unhealthy amounts of time online, but what’s even more astonishing is the percent of that time (about forever%) I spend on the wonderful realms of Youtube. Need some cheering up? Bloopers, America’s Funniest Home Videos, cute puppies, imaginative children and the things that come out of their mouths; Want to know how to ____? Makeup tutorials, photoshop tutorials, crafty and DIY tutorials galore; Missed Lady Gaga’s VMA opening performace? Just type the words! There is literally something for everyone. Here are some of my favorites, all randomized for your viewing pleasure ;)

Wear Sunscreen

Frozen Grand Central

Yellow Sticky Notes

I Met the Walrus (Canadian Beatles fan sneaks into John Lennon’s room; interviews him!)

Evolution of Dance

Darth Vader Being a Smartass

French Bulldog

Maru the Cat

Annoying

Boy Sees Lobster for the First Time!

Just Dance/Sweet Dreams Mashup

What’s in your Youtube treasure chest? Share!