Panda Eyes

Letterman Jacket - vintage // Sweater - Japan // Leggings - J. Crew // Boots - Doc. Martens // Mittens - Kate Spade

I went to China in February. Above are more touristy photos which we took while souvenir shopping and attempting to speak to locals in my broken Chinese that I learned between the 1st and 5th grade, which consists of mostly "ni hao," "xie xie," and some songs about making friends and counting.  But the people were wonderful to me and encouraged, though I had a terrible accent, me to improve my Chinese.

In Cheng Du I did the most unreal thing. I'll give you one hint:

Panda

Oh yes. That's right. I took care of panda's for a week with two of my best friends, Laken and Chelsea. We made friends with two wonderful pandas, Jenko and Mason, as well as our panda master.  It was heaven.  We would clean their cages, then feed them panda cake, carrots, and apples.  Mason would even play game where he'd stand on two feet, open his mouth, and catch the food after we threw it.  They were such sweet, kind creatures.  During the trip, we became more and more aware of how panda's came to be endangered.  It's actually a wonder panda's have been able to survive this long considering their mating period is just a few days long, they are solitary animals, and the rapid fragmentation of their habitat due to urbanization in China.
But they are cute aren't they?

xie xie,

Annika 

Hagia Sophia

Sunglasses - LeSpecs // Sweater - Zara // Skinnies - Seven For All Mankind // Boots - Doc Marten's

Arkadaşlarım merhaba!  

Happy Spring Break everyone! What are you up to this fine week?

I'm vacationing in Turkey.  I've only been here for a day, but I've already seen so much and eaten such great food.  I know I'll gain 10 pounds by the end of my trip.  

We went to the Hagia Sophia, which is just a 5 minute walk away from our hotel. It's in my AP Art History textbook, so I was flipping out.  The Hagia Sophia was much cooler than my textbook made it out to be.  It was like the pages of my textbook were coming alive, the Byzantine mosaics were jumping out and saying hello.

We have yet to visit tons more mosques and other things, as well as eat many, many more pomegranates.

Have a wonderful Sunday :)

Sevmek,

Annika

I see London, I see France

NINJA RUUUUN

Leather Jacket - Burshka // Studded Necklace - Top Shop // Sweater - Zara // Boots - Doc Martens

But I don't see anyone's underpants. That'd just be weird.

Spent the day in Camden Market, I think.  There was a fantastic vintage store there called Rockit Vintage, as well as a bunch of punk stores with studded bracelets and red, plaid pants with zippers.  Everyone was so stylish.  There were tons of people with pink or purple hair, funky boots, creepers, and leather.  I admire people like that, who can keep one sense of style that is super outrageous.  I'm envious of them.

We then took the Tube to the War Museum and toured around there for a couple hours.  It was so interesting that we had to ask our teachers and tour guide if we could stay for a bit longer.

jolly good,

Annika

If you're afraid of butter, eat cream!

"Always remember: If you're alone in the kitchen and you drop lamb, you can always just pick it up. Who's going to know?" - Julia Child

I was a regular Julia Child today in the french bakery, not as clumsy but I could definitely give her a run for her money.  Isabella, my little sister, and I learned how to bake apple and chocolate tarts in a real bakery by a real french chef.  We made a gazillion of them and ended up with two boxes full.  We also got the recipe, because my oh my oh my are these tarts good.

In the same day, I went with my mother to visit Parsons and my whole family did a Gothic Art and Architecture tour with a lovely english woman.  It was great, I got to see many pieces that are in my Art History Textbook.  I felt like such a genius.  The guide brought us to one of the most famous gothic  churches, Notre Dame, and told us the story of Quasimodo, the Hunchback of Notre Dame.  

It was a busy, busy day.  So, when I got home I snuggled up in my best overalls, climbed into an armchair, read my book, and snacked on the delicious tarts.  It's the most amazing book by the way, called Ender's Game.  It's like the original Hunger Games, except about a boy of the age of six named Ender Wiggin.  Ender, a child, is sent up into space to be prepped for a war against the Buggers - the enemy - and is put through rigorous tests that challenges his mentality, strength, and intelligence. It's amazing.  I suggest you go get a copy right. this. second.

keep baking,

Annika

Sweater - Landsend

Shirt - J. Crew

Overalls - Vintage

Creepers - The Underground

I Believe in Magic

Here we are in Disneyland Paris! We've met the whole Mickey Mouse gang and gone on all the best rides - Pirates of the Caribbean, Peter Pan's Flight, Buzz Lightyear, Big Thunder Mountain, and Space Mountain.  I've also had fun translating the rides and asking for directions around the park in french for my parents and sister.

We've had three nights at Disney and we enjoyed every minute of it! 

We arrived at night the first day, but just in time for dinner on Main Street, play with our food, and watch the  parade.  Isabella was waving her little hand so much when the princesses came rolling around.  You should have seen her face, it was like Christmas all over again.

The second and third day we bounced around Disneyland, rode every ride, played Ninja, and got signatures from as many characters as we could.

To commemorate such a glorious and fun visit my sister and I got matching hats.  We couldn't resist.  Nor could we resist the pirate swords that were hanging on the shelf near them. I totally didn't play sword fight with Isabella, my little sister, while my mom paid for the hats. What would ever give you that idea?

We are big Disney Dorks and proud of it.  Disney Dork salute!

till we meet again,

Annika

Rocking the Kasbah

It is truly an adventure in the streets of Morocco.  And what I've found is that the best food comes off the street, yummy hot bread to be exact.  Every bread maker we've run into has probably been the best bread that I have ever had, and that means something.  I'm quite the bread connoisseur. If you ever get the chance to go to Morocco, definitely invest in some food.
Besides the food, we've visited some of the most beautiful kasbahs, riads, and restaurants.  I practiced my french everywhere we go. The best of which is probably in the desert.  We took a helicopter out to the desert to eat at a restaurant that had a picturesque view of the sand dunes.  The servers there taught me french and offered so kindly to let me stay till the night, to sit around the fire, dance, and talk. Unfortunately, I had to decline.
Hopefully, the french that I learned on this trip will help me in Paris, France.  All that really matters though is that I can order crepes and hot chocolate off the street.  C'est très important.
au revoir,
Annika

PS. I learned how to belly dance from a real professional moroccan belly dancer.  I would make a gif of it, but it would blind you with its perfection. Pfffttttttt...I could totes be hired as a mediocre belly dancer....ppfffftttttt. 1. 2. 3. 4!

Poncho - Zara

Sweater - Japan

Shirt - Zara

Skirt - iiMK

Bracelet - J. Crew

Boots - Doc Marten

Sparkle

Better pictures with better light will come soon. The light and sunshine has not been quite what it normally is, but I promise. Better pictures soon.  

And I'll be out of my backyard and on the sweet, sweet sand in no time :)

thanks for the patience,

Annika

Tank - Gap Body

Sweater - J. Crew

Tulip Skirt - J. Crew

Skinny Belt - Abercrombie

Cat Heels - Miu Miu

Two dresses, one night.

Prom. Prom. Prom.

Possibly one of the biggest nights of a high school girls life. And I am stuck, let's call it "style block".  I'm so witty, hur hur.

I can't decide between these two beautiful dresses!

Ok, you will probably look at these dresses and think "Annika! These dresses look exactly the same!".  But I am one of those crazy perfectionists, and I can't seem to decide which one is the best!  

I need your help! Take a look at these dresses, and leave a comment saying which one is the better choice, please!

 Dress - Sherri Hill

Heels - Sherri Hill

Earrings - J. Crew

Cuff - Hermes

Necklace - J. Crew

Dress - Sherri Hill

Heels - Sherri Hill

Cardigan - J. Crew

Earrings - J. Crew

Bracelets - J. Crew

I hope everyone has a wonderful prom, and stay tuned to see which dress I pick :)

Also, let me know what your dress looks like!  

My favorite part of prom is seeing all the dresses.  

Amazing.

love,

Annika

Alexander Wang

I wore these with the dress.

Hello friends and family!
Please avoid looking at my chub...
I saw this dress at Far East and I couldn't believe it, it looked almost exactly like the Alexander Wang sweater dress (click the link for a better look at the dress). I almost died.  I grabbed it off the rack, payed my dues and pretty much skipped to the taxi stand with my cousin with an ear-to-ear smile.  Ever since, I've been wanting to show it to you guys!
And must I go into detail about these shoes? They are from Japan. 'Nough said.
I actually had to edit them a bit; I had to hack off the back heel of the boot so it would slide onto my foot more comfortably. Darn high arches, but, oddly enough, I like them better this way.
Now it's off to finishing homework. Enjoy your night loved ones.
Forever and always,
Annika

Sweater Dress - Far East Plaza

Shoes - Colza