November 2013 Round-Up!

DIY: 

Heart-shaped elbow patches!

I just noticed that I had only posted but only four shoots this month–we can thank the great joys of illness and midterms for that! I also just noticed, while making this compilation, that I’m wearing a black scarf in all of these photos. I have to say that black is definitely my go-to, haha, especially when you’re already mixing so many colors and patterns as in the first, second, and last photos! But actually the biggest thing that I noticed whilst creating this post is that it’s already December! What!? Can you believe that!? Boy does time fly when you’re having fun have a lot of work! Regardless, I’m already looking past finals week and at the upcoming winter break when I fly back to Oklahoma!

Have a lovely Saturday! xx

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In Transit ~ Happy Holidays!

Happy holidays to everyone celebrating! The above photos are from the Chicago Union Station (via my Instagram!) which was decorated so loveily (is that a word?). For Thanksgiving I took the train to my brother‘s place in Michigan which unsurprisingly is so much colder than the already sub-zero temperatures in Chicago! I’ll be posting photos from our adventures soon!
In the spirit of Thanksgiving, please bear through a bit of cheesiness:
 I’m thankful for all of my friends and family that are always there for me me no matter what I do or who I am–thank you! I am so thankful to have such amazing people constantly in my life!
I’m also very thankful for all of my lovely readers who are incredibly supportive and encouraging–thank you so much for all of your readership and comments, emails, and kind messages!

On a slightly less warm and fuzzy note, today, across the United States and probably starting to grow in other countries around the world, is the ridiculous and out-of-control phenomena a lot of us have probably experienced–Black Friday, a concept I don’t understand at all. Why is is that we go out, trampling and shoving others, to consume and consume, right after we just we just listed how apparently thankful we are for everything we have? Am I missing something? Don’t get me wrong, I used to always go out on Black Friday and try to buy a whole new wardrobe but the more I’ve actually thought about it the less I understand it. I’m all for a good sale but not for a “holiday” created by corporate greed.
I’m curious to hear your thoughts?

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[Inspiration] Earth and Sea – Sarah Tilleke by Aimee Stoddart

Source: FashionEditorials.com

So I am definitely in love with this editorial, even if it may be a bit out of season (but I definitely don’t mind–this shoot looks like it was taken in the kind of weather I’ve been lusting lately..)! The model is gorgeous, the scenery is breathtaking, and the clothes are so simple and crisp! I think the pure and smooth white of the clothes clashes so well against the busy colors and textures of the rest of the scenery! I’ve always been a fan of the total white look, and this basically is affirming my love! What do you think? c:

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P.S. The winner of the skirt giveaway has been announced on my Twitter! Thanks so much to everyone who entered! xx

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UChicago Ivy

 

Aaand finally, I present to you my very first shoot on campus! Even though I’ve been here for nearly two months, I hadn’t had the opportunity to shoot on campus until recently (this is why I took lots of backup photos back at home)! Working with both my new and lovely photographer, Alex, and a photogenic campus, I’m rather excited to be doing photoshoots for my blog at college, even if it means we shoot in remote locations because I’m too shy to be photographed in public, teehee. 

This location, for example, (if you’ve stalked me on Instagram it miiight look familiar!) is on the roof of the Music Department, where I was once lost/locked out of last year (haha er…long story). Alex’s photography style is a bit different than mine, but I rather like it! What do you think? 

Photos: Alex // Jacket: Zara // Sweater: H&M // White Blouse: Zara // Boots: DSW // Rings: H&M 

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Patterned Skirt Giveaway!

Hello loves! I don’t know if you remember this DIY, but it has become one of my most popular and googled posts on my blog! I have actually received many emails and messages asking if I can sell some of the clothes that I make, and well, why sell when you can give! c;

I kind of just discovered Polyvore and went a bit crazy and created for you a few ways you can style the skirt!:

 

And here it is! The contest ends in a week! Best of luck! xx
a Rafflecopter giveaway

P.P.S. this skirt will fit anywhere from an xtra-small to medium!
P.S. yes this is an international giveaway!

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Lazy Mornings

After spending all day indoors being sick, too scared to go outside and brave the cold weather, I finally mustered enough courage to change out from my pajamas and try to actually get stuff done! 

This shoot was actually my very first post for TeenVogue, and was taken back in September! (My bad for somehow forgetting to post these photos on the blog sooner!) Check out the post here! c; Even though it was taken so long ago, I feel like it is most accurately portraying how I feel right now–just wanting to stay indoors and do nothing but drink tea and read poetry….and catch up on sleep (haha much like I wanted to in this post, too!). Too bad there is this thing called “classes” that I have to attend to…the only thing that is getting me through these days–because my health obviously failed me–is looking forward to Thanksgiving break where I’m going to visit my brother in Detroit! How are you surviving the transition to winter? xx

P.S. I might also be doing a giveaway tomorrow so stay tuned!! c; 

Photos: Hadi//Sweater: H&M//Skirt: Vintage//Boots: Steve Madden//Backpack: Forever 21//Necklace: Etsy

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DIY Heart-Shaped Elbow Patches!

After teasing you for about two weeks (my bad!), it is finally here–a surprisingly simple DIY to add your own elbow patches to liven up your shirt and make it more heartwarming! (bad pun intended!) c;

So let’s get started, shall we?

This obviously took me several tries..

If you are a beginner and don’t know what this type of stitch is, I’m bad at explaining things so here is a link that can! http://www.positivelysplendid.com/2013/02/sew-a-pillow-closed-by-hand-blind-ladder-stitch.html

 

I knew this dictionary was going to come in handy eventually!

Detailed photo:

Aaaand you’re finished! That wasn’t so bad, was it!? I’m sure you didn’t even sew your finger, like I did!: 

“Sewing Done Right” By Hoda Katebi

Right when this happened to me my first thought was “I need to blog this!!” teehee

Let me know if you have any questions or if any of the instructions were unclear! What do you think of this DIY? Would you try it? c; I’d love to see how it turns out for you! Send me/tag me in photos of your finished product! 

…I think I might try to make bird-shaped elbow patches next…! 

See the finished shirt in action here! 

Hope you enjoyed this LOVEly (sorry for the bad puns) DIY, and again, let me know if you are struggling through any part of the instructions and I’d be glad to help out! Can’t wait to see them!! xx 

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Lately…

Just pretending this bird tattoo I gave myself is real…

Mmm, dat Autumn UChicago Ivy…

Soaking in the foggy view at the lake before the weather takes a dive

Pumpkin pie, Persian tea, and bird mugs ♡

My beautiful photographer (Alex) and friend!  The shoots we’ve done together aren’t up yet but they will be sooooon!! P.S. She is such a great photographer omg get excited

So Alex is also great at assembling bikes! Hooray for multi-talented friends!

Check out my Instagram (@hodaaak) for more photos! c;
Have a lovely Sunday!
xx

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Garden Party

Photos: Hadi // Skirt: Handmade // Sunglasses: Urban Outfitters // Boots: Modcloth

 Aaaand yet another set of photos of just soaking in the warm sun back in Oklahoma. (P.S. uhh yeah the last photo was taken the other day at a supermarket but I thought it was sort of related because fruit. So. Yeah.) These photos were taken in my backyard in front of out massive peach tree which, due to the heat, failed to produce any fruit. 😦 But it doesn’t matter because winter is coming up which means my favorite fruit–pomegranate! …and yes, we are growing pomegranates in our backyard! Along with basically everything else my father gets his hand on (including pineapples!?)
What is the most ridiculous thing you’ve planted–or, tried to? c;

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City Streets

Photos: Hadi

Just another hazy summer in Oklahoma….is what I was saying two months ago….
Oh I miss the days lazily laying around the house with my younger brother (and photographer! c;)

If you haven’t already noticed, I kind of love patterned pants~

Have a lovely Wednesday! xx

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