Paris Paris Paris

A beautiful city that will truly inspire you. I'm not sure if its the history, the design or just the Parisian air but it's quite the romantic city. Paris makes you want to fall in love or at least be in love. It's also the capital of fashion, I don't know all the reasons but I like to believe it's because it's always been classic & chic. 

This was my first time working with a team in Paris and I had an amazing time shooting this Fashion story. 

Top & pants: Drome 
Mini Bag & Gloves: Azzedine Alaia 
Hat: Laulhere 

This Lou De Betoly dress was stunning. I need this for my next party or just to lounge around in at my house.

A stunning dress or a gown can make you feel glamorous and beautiful but there's just something about a power suit that really makes me feel amazing. Maybe it's because I don't find myself in this type of look very often but this was my favorite look from the entire shoot! Who says a girl can't rock a mans style? 

Oversized jacket: Sadak
Beret: Azzedine Alaia
Earrings: Lanvin

Total look: Off-white
Earrings: Louis Vuitton

Absolutely in LOVE with the dress & bag combo from Off-White. Straight off the runway, fire. 

Top & Pants: Drome
Mini Bag & Gloves: Azzedine Alaia
Hat: Laulhere

Total Look: Azzedine Alaia

Total Look: Off-white

Dress & belt: Azzedine Alaia
Hat: Laulhere

It must be the Parisian Style and team but this is my favorite Fashion Shoot & Video we have shot up to date! Would you agree? 

Give it up for the phenomenal team! 

Photographer: Florian https://www.instagram.com/floriansaez
Sylist: Sarah https://www.instagram.com/sarahcazeneuvestylist
Make up artist: Cyril https://www.instagram.com/cyrillaine
Hair Stylist: Oliver https://www.instagram.com/hairbyolivierlebrun
Hair Assistant: Michael https://www.instagram.com/spraythanh
Video: Eunice https://www.instagram.com/eunibugg
 

TGIF!

So happy to share this last look from the shoot with Raul. Do you guys have a favorite? 

I've seen a few comments that I almost seem like a different person these days with my new hair. I actually agree, but I'm not sure it's just the hair. I think it might be the way I'm living life these days. This year has been all about living in the moment. Appreciating more of what I have, being thankful and doing my best to learn!

This attitude has given me a new level of confidence and a renewed zest for life. Turn the bad into something beautiful!

 Or maybe it is just the hair. 

Either way, I think change is good. The same way the seasons change, I think it's important to grow and adjust to your surroundings and your current situation. Things aren't always going to go as planned. Nothing has gone according to my plan. But that's okay. I'm sure when I get to the end of my story, I'll look back and say - God was a much better writer. 

It's hard to appreciate what you have and stay positive during difficult seasons of life. But I truly believe hardships make you who you are. They shape your character and as much as I hate these moments, I know I'll be thankful. These struggles will make the successes that much more satisfying. If it was easy, everyone would do it. 

Enjoy your last work day or school day for the week! I work on Saturdays as well so cheers to those who also work everyday! 

Photography by Raul Romo
Styling by Katie Qian
Make up & Hair by Francie Tomalonis
Bts by Eunice Lee

Get that Vitamin D!

If you're feeling blue go outside and get some Vitamin D, sunshine always cheers me up! I walk Chewy 3-4 times a day, that's at least an hour of sunlight and it does wonders for me. Couple times a week we go for a hike as well. I'm more energetic during the days and I sleep better at night. Whenever I'm feeling sluggish a brisk walk outside always does the trick. 

Here I am trying to tie a high pony without a mirror, how'd I do?  

Photos by the amazing Robby M this is one of my favorite every day looks from a fun shoot we had in Downtown LA, video shot by Eunice coming soon on my channel. 

Kisses! Now get off your phone or computer and go get some sun!! 

Sweater: Pam & Gela Lace up (size P)
Watch: Leonard & Church Varick 
Sunnies: Perverse Sunglasses
Jeans: Nobody Geo Skinny (size 26)

Do you have three faces?

Someone recently told me that everyone has three faces. The first face, you show to the world. The second face, you show to your close friends and your family. The third face, you never show anyone. It is the truest reflection of who you are. I found this to be fascinating because I always thought I was just an open book. 

I'm fairly open & honest about my life unless it involves someone else. Respecting the privacy of those I care for is really important to me. I'm also not good at hiding my emotions or lying. If I don't like something or someone you'll see it written all over my face. On the flip side, if I like something, I won't be able to hide my excitement. I either LOVE it or HATE it, no room for the in-between.

Lets take food for example, if it's a hot dish, I like it sizzling hot and if it's a cold dish, I like it ice cold. I hate anything that's lukewarm. This reflects a lot in my life as well. I'm passionate about the things I do and the things I love. So that intensity really excites me and lukewarmness is the exact opposite. I consider it lazy to have a lukewarm attitude towards life. If you're going to do something, do it! Do it with all your heart and be great! Revelation 3:15-17

Now that I think about it, I'm fairly closed off in big public settings or work environments, mainly because it's intimidating and terrifying. I can come off a bit standoffish if I'm feeling uncomfortable. It's an INFP (Myers-Briggs) thing, we're constantly misunderstood. I'll elaborate on INFP struggles on another blog post. I also act a lot tougher than I am to those I'm not as close with. But my friends know I'm pretty sensitive and a total softie. I put less of a face on with my friends so they get to see the real arden. I'm awkward, clumsy, insecure, shy, incredibly forgetful - borderline needing professional help and I talk way too fast. Mainly because if I talk slowly mid sentence I'll forget what I was saying and completely lose my train of thought. Does this happen to anyone else?

I feel like my closest friends see it all. They've seen me ugly cry, they've seen me heartbroken, they've seen me angry and much more. I'm really open with my close friends because I believe your friendships can only be as deep as you allow them to be. If you want real intimate friendships you've got to be vulnerable and open up. Friendships are hard work and you need to invest your time into them but they're so essential to a healthy life. I'm so thankful for my friends that are my community and my family. They keep me accountable and grounded, I don't know what I'd do without them. 

Whenever I dress like this I have a few friends who love to tease me. You look like a boy. But what's wrong with that? Why do guys get all the cool clothes? This is a mans jacket from the mens section but I love it! I can wear this, eat two pizzas and no one would know. All about comfort baby!

I just bought this cap and I'm in LOVE. I usually wear a black cap but since the weather's getting warmer I feel like this off-white colored cap is very fitting for the season. It's become a new favorite. I love hats and covering half my face, it oddly makes me feel safe. Maybe I do have three faces after all. There are definitely times when I feel the safest alone. But I still identify with all three faces, they all make me who I am. 

When you're fixing your hair but it almost looks like dancing. Photography by Robby M 

New York

One of my favorite experiences during Fashion Week last year was shooting with Leonardo Corredor. It took me so far out of my comfort zone. But I loved it. I never got to share all of the photos so I figured I'd do that here.

This was hands down my favorite images from the shoot. I'm not quite sure why but it makes me feel like a painting and I'm honored to feel like my image became art. 

My dreams of being tall come true in photoshoots with long gowns and killer heels. But thank you Leo, this photo gives me life. 

I rarely shoot anything like this. I think it's because I feel vulnerable & naked. Or just plain awkward. But I'm happy we did it, I love how it turned out and I think I'll look back at it many years from now and be happy that I was comfortable enough to take this photo, despite the tiny body suit and snow falling on me in the -0 degree weather. Yes, it was snowing while I took this photo and yes, I was standing outside on the busy streets of New York. Half naked. I got quite a number of funny looks. 

This is probably my second favorite photo of the batch. I love it because it makes me feel so sexy and I rarely feel sexy. I also love the hair naturally falling in my face. I don't know why but I really love hair in the face. I almost wish I always had hair in my face like Violet from The Incredibles. 

I really fear taking photos straight on like this. But when you have a good glam team it sure does build the confidence. Thank you Jonathan for making my face look like this. This photo also freaked me out a bit because people kept commenting that I looked like TOP from Big Bang, I wasn't sure if that was an insult or a compliement. But I'll choose to take it as a compliment. Maybe we can play siblings one day. 

Photography - Leonardo Corredor | Make up - Jonathan Wu | Nails - Sooah | Hair - Kat Koncept | Styling - Allan Troy

Inspired

2017 has inspired me to share more. More of who I am, the things I love and what my life is really like. Limited with characters on Twitter and space on Instagram, I've found a home here on my new site. I'll be updating here daily with videos, work and more. 

Here's a sneak peek at one of my latest fashion shoots in Downtown LA.