Best.Weekend.Ever. (and win a $1000 giftcard)

(Victoria's Secret Bikini, Zara Pants)

These were taken over the summer. My Best.Weekend.Ever. consisted of surfing in the morning with Wesley Mason then chilling at the beach and playing with my two dogs, Malti and Charcoal.

If you haven't heard already, Call It Spring is having a fun Facebook contest where 5 lucky Facebook fans can win a $1000 Call It Spring gift card. Considering how affordable their shoes are, that's about 25 pairs of shoes (give or take)

To enter, all you have to do is post a photo depicting your Best.Weekend.Ever such as a photo you have with your friends/family on a trip/traveling/at home on their Facebook.

Currently in My Room...

1. My new bookshelf that I spray painted gold with Wesley Mason's help. I bought the bamboo wine rack at the Rose Bowl flea market and use it to hang my sunglasses.

2. My dog Malti. I've had him and his twin brother Pooma since I was 17. Ever since I moved back to LA, Wesley Mason and I re-adopted him and now he's Charcoal's big brother.

Stay Hungry. Stay Foolish

Just wanted to share a little quote from Steve Jobs from his Commencement Address at Stanford University back in 2005 that inspired me so much. The entire speech is inspirational but this was my favorite part and something that I always remind myself and that gets me going:

"Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't be trapped by dogma — which is living with the results of other people's thinking. Don't let the noise of others' opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary."

Miami Instagram and More..

1-3. Monica Botkier's Cell Phone Photos (More Here)

4. View from my room

5. The BEST crabs I've ever had from Joe's Stone Crab. I wish I was rich enough to fly out to Miami every weekend just to eat these.

6-9. The Webster. Apparently the J.Lo shops here and J.Wow shops across the street at a souvenir shop.

A Love Story..... Sorta

After drooling over these pumps for several months and realizing that I drooled too long and my size had sold out everywhere, I was a tad bit sad until I found them sitting pretty in a boutique in Miami (see twitpic here of me wearing it.) At first I thought I was hallucinating. I was sunburnt and suffering a heatstroke due to falling asleep on the rooftop pool thanks to having too much fun the previous day. Once I realized that these were in fact the Isabel Marant pumps that I've been lusting after and the last pair which were my size I felt like my sunburn disappeared. Thanks to my lovely Wesley Mason, I brought these back to California with me and now they are sitting pretty on my desk. Unfortunately, I'm still quite burnt so I haven't actually worn them out yet.

The second picture is my current jewelry tray of my favorite pieces that I've been wearing all the time which includes necklaces from Anarchy Street, bracelets from Bimba & Lola, Low Luv, CC Skye, and a random jewelry place I found awhile back.

Two Completely Different Outfits

Outfit #1: H&M Denim Jacket, MinkPink Sunglasses, Style by Marina Suede Skirt, Vintage Leopard Belt, Kelsi Dagger Peep Toe Zipper Boots, Anarchy Street & Vintage Jewelry, Rebecca Minkoff Clutch, Charcoal from SPCA

Outfit #2: Shona Joy Dress, Anarchy Street Feather Necklace, Vintage Belt, Opening Ceremony Boots

Since the weather isn't cooperating I had to take pictures inside... and Charcoal got tired of helping me choose what to wear.

A Break From Reality

(gifted Bebe Hat, Mom's dress worn as a top, DIY Levi's cut-offs, Sam Edelman Sandals)

I really wanted to go to NYFW this season despite the weather since I got invited to so many great shows, but how could I say 'no' to a trip to Aruba? The weather here is just amazing. As soon as you think it's getting a little too hot, the breeze comes in and cools you off instantly. The beautiful 80 degree weather, the calm ocean, lizards that crawl up to you, amazing food, friendly locals, spending time with people that i love, and much more... I'm so in love with Aruba and I can't wait to go out on the beach again tomorrow!

The Day I Met Jeff Lewis

(gifted Style by Marina Leather Jacket & Asymmetrical Dress, BB Dakota Faux Fur Vest inside, Steve Madden Heels)

When my friend from my old job at the Design Center told me that Jeff Lewis was coming to speak, I totally freaked out, booked my flight back to SF a day earlier than I had planned, told Wesley Mason, and went to the event together to see him. For those who don't know who Jeff Lewis is, in short, he is a house flipper turned interior designer who is a crazy narcissist with major OCD and a sarcastic humor that I absolutely love and has his own reality show called Flipping Out.

Growing up in LA and having friends in the entertainment industry, I've seen a lot of celebrities and I normally don't get nervous, ever. However, when I was about to meet Jeff Lewis and his long time assistant Jenni Pulos, I got nervous and my stomach started to hurt. This is the guy, since 2 years ago, that I wanted to be like and is kind of like my career role model. Yes, he has some life issues and is still single at the age of forty which won't be me unless Wesley Mason dumps me but every time I see him on TV, I feel like our personalities and goals in life are so much alike especially when it comes to being very blunt and wanting to be successful in this industry. (I almost got fired at my old retail job for telling female customers how they really look when they asked me for my opinion on the outfits they chose. I'm bad at sugar coating so I come off rude)

So what did I say to him? I told him that since 2 years ago, my goal was to be like him. I told him I'm a fashion blogger and an interior designer and in a recent interview I did with a fashion magazine they asked me, "What would you like to be doing in 5 years?" and my answer was, "I want to be the female version of Jeff Lewis minus the drama."

I honestly can't remember what he said but I remember him being super happy and his breathe smelled nice and apparently I like to talk with my hands.

Seriously, I love you Jeff Lewis and... where is Zoila?

Little Meaningful Things

Sheer top from Anarchy Street, the view from my apartment, favorite shoes displayed on my shelves, horns, giant shell that Wesley Mason got me from Florida, Chanel products from my best friend Ira, and my very first Prada wallet that Wesley Mason bought me for Christmas after my Ray Ban sunglass case/wallet ripped.

To the LOVE of My Life

Happy Birthday baby! <3

What you didn't know about Art Schools

I have been receiving a lot of emails from prospective art students looking into going to an art school and decided to do a post to guide those who are planning on attending an art school or just any private college.

As all of you know college is very expensive. I am very fortunate enough to have a very generous grandmother who is paying for my college tuition. However for some, they need to get student loans and a little help from the government to pay for their tuition. I'm sure college tuition varies by school but the average cost of a private school is at least $20,000 a year not including living expenses such as dorm, apartment fee, etc. If you include that, it exceeds way more than $30,000 a year. You multiply that by 4 is $120,000, a price of a house in some states, and a down payment for a house in California.

I currently go to the Academy of Art University in San Francisco and before this school I went to a different art school in So Cal and a community college for about years. Honestly, for the past year, I feel like my $30,000 tuition was not well spent. I, and most of the students of my school think the school is just ridiculously expensive. I mean, RIDICULOUSLY expensive. You do not understand how much this school rips you off. They charge you a $170 registration fee that goes up every semester and you have to pay this every single semester to sign up for classes. After charging about $670 per unit(which is going to go up next semester!!!) that equals $8,000 per semester for 4 classes, they charge you a course fee on top of that which varies by class. For an example, I have a computer class that I need to take for my major and they charge students an additional $400 for that class because we need to use the printer which is freaking ridiculous. This school seriously finds every way to rip students off. Last semester they raised the tuition and they are raising the tuition again next semester during this recession. The school knows that during recession people lose jobs therefore, go back to schools. They are taking this opportunity to rip people off and it's just so frustrating because there aren’t much you, as an individual can do. A lot of people who go to my school, and other private schools end up dropping out after their first semester when they realize it is just a waste of money because you really don't learn anything during your first semester. I heard the school does this on purpose to just have people enroll and take their money. For those who stick around, you still don't learn much... Honestly, I feel like I learned way more at the community college than this school. Also I worked as a kitchen and bathroom designer for 2 1/2 years before going to this school and sometimes it's ridiculous how I know more about interior design and the construction law than some of my professors. The AAU is poor at choosing its teachers, which is why students end up having different teachers at the end of the semester (a lot of teachers get fired due to their lack of knowledge in this industry) Out of my 1 + year in this school, for the FIRST time (besides one of my teacher from my last semester) I am finally learning something this semester but I still don't think it is worth the $30,000 I pay. Honestly if I did not need a degree for my profession I would totally quit school and just start from the bottom and work my way up in the industry. However, unless I land a gig in Top Design and win the whole competition, or the law of building construction, etc changes, it is best for me to get a college degree. I’m sure a private art school does give you a more in-depth experience that is related to your major than just a public college since a lot of people transfer from public schools. However when thinking about going to a private school make sure you go to a community college or a public school and get the electives or general courses out of the way. You do not have to pay $2000 for an English class or a Math class at an art school when you can pay almost nothing at a public school. Take as many classes you can then transfer to a private school but know that the cheap Academy of Art only accepts 30 units from other colleges so you still have to pay a crap load of money ($90,000 to be exact) in order to get your degree. Also if you have any questions about the school, don’t ask your counselor or advisor because these people are commissioned based. They will tell you what you want to hear so that you will go to the school. Just look online and ask questions at college forums or ask people who go to the school.
I’m sorry if I am scaring you and if this is all disappointing but I would hate for you to waste your parent’s hard earned money, or soon to be your hard earned money when you can save. If you really want to attend a private school, my best advice to is go to a community college for a year or two and get all the electives/ general courses out of the way. The school, (well my school at least) does not care about you or your education. You just need to be a self starter and have to be willing to learn.
I’m so sorry for this super long post and by no mean am I trying to offend anyone(maybe just the people who own private schools.) I really want everyone to know the truth about art schools (did I mention the owner of my school owns at least 50 vintage cars that are worth millions and millions of dollars? Wonder where our tuition goes to? More cars!) and you really are hardly going to get your money’s worth but because this society demands degrees(remember Kanye West’s College Dropout Album? Lol) and we have no choice but to go along with it.
btw, don't even think about staying at an AAU Dorm.
My first semester I stayed at a shared studio with nasty office carpet on the floor, no AC nor heater, paid around $1,100 a month when I could have gotten a studio on my own for about that price. I told you, this school finds every single way to take your money. I bet they hire people to research on what the best, sneakiest way to steal student's money.

Bet ya didn't know this..

(Vintage Blazer, Wet Seal T-Shirt, Gap Shirt, Forever 21 Skirt)

I've been tagged by Eelie to do a 10 things list and Tiffany and a few other wonderful ladies in the past to do 6 random things about me so I shall do all this at once! =)

10 Things i love:
I. The beach
II. People who do good deeds just for the hell of it
III. All animals minus dirty pigeons
IV. My family (including all dogs, past dogs and cats) and friends
V. My boyfriend and his family
VI.When my dogs choose me over my sister. Best feeling ever! haha
VII. Good music by talented people
VIII. Caramel Frappuccino with no whip cream and home made fruit smoothies
IX. Sleeping without having to wake up at a certain time.
X. Getting massages

10 things i loathe:
I. When I'm talking on the phone by myself without realizing the other person got cut off due to bad service
II. Dirty streets, dirty pigeons
III. My eczema. seriously, i get depressed and feel all alone.... :(
IV. People who use the Christ's name in vein and condemn gays, lesbians, non virgins, etc. That's not being Christian because Christians don't hate. We congratulate~
V. Those who mistreat and abuse people and animals. I will never understand how this could ever happen.
VI. bugs, insects, any living thing that's not human, animal, or plant
VII. Very cold weather that numbs my whole body. Once my nose was running and I didn't even feel it. My church teacher told me and it was very very embarrassing
VIII. When somebody eats my food. I'm very selfish when it comes to food.
IX. Ignorant people. people who do drugs, people who hurt others without knowing.
X. When the stupid starbucks guy puts whip cream on my NO WHIP CREAM caramel frapp

Random facts:
I. My bed is always made. thanks to my mom, it's been made everyday since I was 6
II. I'm super duper loyal. Whether it's food, products I use...etc.. I only drink caramel frapp at starbucks, order the exact same thing at restaurants, get coffee ice cream with oreos at coldstone, and the list goes on...
III. I'm super blunt and I tend to get in trouble because of it (I just tend to speak what's in my mind without thinking twice) but I don't cuss. I probably say sh*t like twice a year.
IV. I'm a pescetarian and I never really liked meat that much.
V. I am an extreme germaphobic. I can't share food with people not even with my family, I never let anyone sit on my bed unless they are wearing pajamas, I take my clothes off and change to new clothes as soon as I get home.
VI. My name isn't pronounced Aimee (like Amy) but it's like Ah-Meeh