2013

It's a brand new year! Which means two things: one, time to attempt some resolutions again (and fail), and two, time for a new drop-down bar on the left menu! Yahoo!

Reading over this article on xoJane (http://www.xojane.com/relationships/resolutions-to-live-my-life-by-in-2013-featuring-salt) I decided that I should wanted to share with you my 2013 resolutions.

At my friend's house last night, I asked everyone what their resolutions were going to be. I have to admit, my friends and I are quite boring. The most eccentric resolution came from our friend Mach, his was to "kick ass". I don't know how he's going to kick ass in 2013, but I decided I was going to kick some ass right alongside him. 2013 is going to be my year! 2013 PREPARE TO BE ASS KICKED!!!!

Before I share with you all my deep dark resolutions, I want you to know that I would love to hear about your resolutions and goals as well, or just plans for the new year. My comments rarely get used even though I have a statistic viewer of the visitors of this site, so I KNOW YOU'RE OUT THERE READERS!!!! So comment away, I won't hurt you.

1. Stop biting/picking at my nails

This one is reoccurring every year since I was old enough to know what resolutions were. I have been biting my nails since two or three years old (my mom never fails to point that out to me). And every year I declare that no more will I need to wrap my bleeding cuticles in Barbie band-aids, and every year I end up rubbing nail treatments and creams onto my poor nail buds as if some lotions will end my bad habits.

A+ Life, man (I am the essence of cheesy)

But thanks to a segment on bad habits by Dr. Phil, I think I have finally found some ways to prevent myself from biting and pulling and picking.

2. Reach High Honor Roll grades for the overall school year

(Yes, this one is very boring.) This one is pretty self explanatory-- maintain good grades, work very hard and then at the end of the school year make sure I make High Honor Roll. As I say this I realize I should probably not be blogging and instead preparing for school tomorrow and the last half of the second marking period......

3. Do something reckless

It's vague, but honestly, doing something reckless is a goal of mine this year. If this means something as extreme as bungee jumping, or something smaller, I don't know. And maybe I won't know when it happens either! But I think that if you live and maintain a happy, healthy life, one reckless thing is permitted per year (Isabella Philosophy right there).

4. Maintain a healthy life

This was the first year in my life where I was conscious about my body and aware of the fact that during field hockey season I lost weight and I felt really good about my body. Then, of course, after the fall season ended, I gained weight back again. I'm not saying I am at all fat, I am happy with my body and know that I'm at a good weight for my height, age, and hip ratio (thanks Mom for that lovely gene).

But I also know that everyone can make healthier food choices and exercising plans... so one of my resolutions is basically not to be a pig, don't reach for another piece of bread at the dinner table, and go for runs more often.

5. Do something for ME (professionally)

I know that all of these resolutions are about me, but this one is about my career. And I know that is very presumptuous and far-fetched, but I believe that you're never too young to start shaping your future. (I mean look at freaking Tavi Gevinson-- sophomore in high school, published book, successful online magazine and blog, invited to top runways and fashion shows.)

So this year I want to do something about my life and start my career. I don't know how I'm going to do this but it will happen. I promise.

6. Be more assertive

I can never speak my mind freely or tell people how I really feel, so this year I'm going to work on being more assertive. Putting myself before other people more often. Making myself happy! :)


SO all in all, I am ready to kick 2013's ass and make it the best year for me (until 2014).
I hope you all had a great start to the new year and have many goals to fail at alongside with me!!!

PS-- 2013 is the first year since 1987 to have four different digits. My mom said that 1987 was a great year (I'm a little worried about that but....) so I think that's a good sign.

Dare Yourself (Hot Holiday Trends)

It’s almost the new year!! Make a resolution to break through your shell and become the better YOU! Do things you were afraid to do in 2012, be the person you weren’t.

This year don’t be afraid to sparkle, shimmer, and shine! Wear gold and metallics; make everyone’s eyes fall on you. When you walk by, know that everybody is staring at you! Be the best version of yourself, and cross that threshold through your wardrobe and accessories.

This year incorporate:

-Colors: Gold and metallic colors are a MUST! This holiday season has been proof that gold shimmer has been found on close to everything! Tie in some sparkly skirts, tights, shirts, or even nail polish (thanks to nail expert Deborah Lipman) into your holiday get-ups. Don’t be afraid to be daring! 

-Accessories: Shoulder duster earrings tried to become the top trend last year, but didn’t really make it. One year later they’re stealing the show. If you want your earrings to be your statement piece this year, swap out a crazy outfit for something more sleek, elegant, or simple. Pair this with your shoulder dusters and wah-la! You’ve instantly transformed your entire outfit using just two ears.

-Fabrics: Lately I have been seeing lots of mohair and sequins having their fair share of holiday spotlight. Two very opposite fabrics, but creating the same jaw-dropped effect. Mohair skirts or jackets (or even sweater tops- thanks to always fabulous H&M) make the rest of your outfit easy. The mohair piece is your statement, so everything else can just highlight the daringness of your piece. Sequins are another hot holiday trend. Going along with the same idea of mohair.. once you have the statement sequin piece, all else will follow. 

Happy Holidays! I hope everyone has an amazing end of their year, and remember: DARE YOURSELF!!!

xxx.

ps- SHOP SHOP SHOP

pps- be sure to check out my new fashion tumblr 

http://lostlookbook.tumblr.com/site

St. Barts, Paris & Bali

La Banane Hotel in St. Barts

     So for about three years now, I've been an avid reader and follower of the Cool Hunter.  The Cool Hunter is basically a site founded by Bill Tikos, it eventually evolved since its creation in 2004 into many different branches of "cool".  A group of people roam the world finding interesting architecture, places, art, fashion, etc.  If I could have any job in the world, it would be any type of employee with the Cool Hunter.  (I admit to emailing them once just gushing about how much I love the Cool Hunter and what they do.)
     My favorite part about the Cool Hunter, however, is their Travel section.  My biggest dream in life is to be able to travel the entire world and visit many countries.  Following the Cool Hunter around the world I feel as if I've been to so many countries with deep culture already.  For that love and experience I have to thank the Cool Hunter (if the Cool Hunter read my lowly blog I think I would die and go to Heaven... then come back to cry and obsess).
     I have been saving photos of some of my favorite places that the Cool Hunter has visited for a few years now.  I never thought about sharing it until I was browsing my friend Cammie's blog, Preppy Go Lucky, where she has a tab dedicated to the places she wants to visit.  So thank you Cool Hunter for being the catalyst to my travelling dreams and thank you Cammie for being the inspiration to let my inner world-traveller out of the closet.  So here are three places that I would love to visit; the La Banane Hotel in St. Barts, Le Royal Monceau Hotel in Paris, and Alila Villas Soori in Bali.

Le Royal Monceau Hotel in Paris

Alila Villas Soori in Bali

Break Up with Your Make Up

I am not lying when the most make up I wear is eye liner and mascara (and that's one of the days where I wear more than usual). When I was reading up and watching the runways for this season, I was not only so excited but also felt super cool and ahead of the curve when I saw that this season will be sporting thicker eyebrows (think less eye makeup as well) and a darker pout.

Focusing less on the crazy winged eye liner and voluminous eye lashes gives more credit to your lips. A darkened pout makes a statement and doesn't need anything else to support it. Try using light toned eye shadow, minimal eye liner, and light mascara to let your rouge lips take the show.


If you nave naturally thin eyebrows, there are eyebrow gels that you can apply with a wand to fill in some empty spaces. For thicker eyebrows, your in luck this season. Do not pluck, thread or wax. Keep as is, your going to be lighting up the runway this fall.

Advance to Autumn

I'm so sorry guys! I feel like I am always apologizing here! I have been so busy lately with school starting and absolutely everything that I have not posted in FOREVER! But I'm back, I swear(:

Also, always check my Tumblr or Twitter, I update those two more frequently and on the go.

http://11thhdimension.tumblr.com/

and

https://twitter.com/isabellanard1

But back to fashion (that beautiful word that holds so much!). It's fall! Wahoo! My absolute favorite season for a number of reasons (one, being that my birthday is in October!!). But oh the sweaters and boots and colors and creativity that comes with the fall! It's amazing. That is why, dear readers, we are advancing to autumn. Hence the title..

So of course there are your reoccurring, never dying boots and sweaters. But my favorite look this fall is a little closer to skater side. And yes, I am one of those girls who LOVES hipster and grunge styles (very different, but hey, I'm complex). Don't judge me.

Layering is the first and foremost rule to grunge style so to start us off right for the season, oversized sweaters.

Oversized sweaters is one trend that I absolutely love and try to embrace each year. They are so comfortable with a pair of skinnies (cords or denim) and boots (leather or fUggs). Oversized sweaters are so easy to pull off. And accessories to go with it never end. Layer necklaces, pull up your hair, and don some flashy earrings for a little more sophisticated look. Or just throw on a hat over your bed head and call it a day.