Wellness

By some fantastic twist of fate, I found out last week I had a wellness day I could take at work. As in a day off where I can just do what I need to be well. So that I did. Getting my hair done was first on the agenda. My hairdresser Sophie from Little Hair Co. took one look at me and said 'Your fringe is out of control' which is a very polite way of saying that my hair is a mess and it's almost criminal that I'm walking around looking like this. 

The rest of the day was spent relaxing. Except for when my phone decided to restore itself and wipe out everything including all my photos, contacts, and apps. And I almost couldn't get into it because I have forgotten my account's password. Ah, well. My friend Simon and I drove to the country side (ha, but not really) to get ice cream but got lost in the way, ended up having cake, buying a pretty bowl, and then finally getting ice cream. Our last stop for the day was my fave magazine shop where I stocked up on the essentials. Happy place. I feel well.

Easy like Sunday morning

That weekend

You know it's going to be a great weekend when you find yourself up early on a Saturday, sitting in a cafe that is also a plant shop, having breakfast at 9 am. Maybe there is truth to that old saying after all. You know the one.

Breakfast and plant shopping with my friend Simon was the perfect start to the weekend. Even after finding a lizard while holding up a planter that I wanted to buy. Even after Simon put said lizard on snapchat and called it Jess. We moved on to go flower shopping across the road before calling it a morning! 

I went grocery shopping like a proper adult, and then spent the rest of the day reading, lounging around, arranging flowers, and making dinner for my family. Today isn't any different other than having a bit of a sleep in and spending the afternoon playing with Indian ink and dried foliage, finishing the book (will fill you in soon. . .) and shedding a few tears over it, and contemplating ways on how to be a better human.

I also decided that I should be dancing hence why I have been playing this song all day! It's the perfect get happy song. I don't think it's even possible to not smile while hearing this song. It makes me feel in love, even though I've never been more alone before. Life is a funny, funny thing.

But perhaps of all evenings in the world, I find Sunday nights the loneliest.

Infinite

The weekend has been all sorts of magical. Sunday was spent waking up at 11 am and then having a nap straight after that, getting up for food and then taking a nap before dinner. Bliss. The real highlight, though, was Saturday. 

Went to Auckland with my good friend Michael for the day. Explored and wandered, ate way too much, sat outside in a beautiful little pub with fairylights, plants, and sunshine while I wrote, and he sketched beautiful fashion ideas, and talked. We danced to Rihanna at 6 pm, sun still out and all, in my new favourite hideaway in K road. But the highlight for me was dinner. Where I articulated the things that were alive in my head. The thoughts I have never said out loud until then, over meatballs and a peanut butter shake. I felt my soul feel more alive as the words came out, and I knew that from this point on that conversation we had will always be a turning point in my life. We danced the night away, celebrated life and magic over mocktails before leaving the city a little after midnight.

On the way back home, I stared at the stars and felt small. And big. And full of possibilities. And hope. I felt infinite. 

In bloom

Happiest with flowers in my hand, black lipstick on my lips, and a big hat on my head. 

This is my fave photoset to date and I forced my mummy to take these for me (#nofilter though). Sorrynotsorry. I went flower shopping with my lovely friend Gem last weekend at The Flower Shack and may have overindulged in these pretty blooms as a late birthday treat. Also just because. Peonies are only in season for a short time so why not take advantage?

They were only buds when I got them but man did they bloom nicely! My fave kind of bouquets are the ones that are bigger than my face. So much love. So much prettiness. 

Hope you have a fantastic long weekend! Soak up the sun, relax, do something nice for yourself, be kind, spread the love xx

All that is gold does not glitter, not all those who wander are lost

All that is gold does not glitter,

Not all those who wander are lost;

The old that is strong does not wither,
Deep roots are not reached by the frost.
From ashes a fire shall be woken,

A light from the shadows shall spring;

Renewed shall be blade that was broken,

The crownless again shall be king

JRR Tolkien

23

So apparently, "nobody likes you when you're 23".

At least according to Blink -82's "What's my age again?". There are only two songs as far as I know that talks about 23. That Blink-182 and "23" by Jimmy Eat World. Both depressing and really makes being 23 unappealing. 

Screw that. So far so good. Today has been so simple yet great and I can't wipe the smile off my face! I had what seemed like the fastest day at work. I started the day with an 8:30 am meeting, my workmates threw me a shared morning tea celebration and played that Blink-182 song while we were at it. I love being the office baby. I got to cross off one of the things in my long to-do list for the week before lunchtime so that was good.

I had lunch with someone really cool and I got flowers. It's white and in a white pot plant and he said he even researched how to make it look like that or something. And that made my day because flowers = happy and the effort was very much appreciated. 

My brother also surprised me with a magazine that he got for me with his own savings and my heart is literally bursting with happiness. I got the instax from my mummy and daddy, more flowers and pretty terrarium from Mandy, a card from my baby brother, and I bought myself a copy of my favourite Dr Suess book. 

Right now I am cuddled up in bed drinking tea from a mug full of cats (never too early to start being crazy cat lady) and wearing a floral pyjama shorts set. My mama is baking me a cake and my dad is bringing my favourite dish home. 

23 I like you already. 

Birthday Wishlist

I feel like every wishlist I create are always just the same. Am I just predictable? Is this because I'm getting old? But seriously, I'm a bit of a birthdayzilla. I love birthdays! Birthday month, week, allday errday. Not this year, though. I turn 23 in 3 days and I have no plans also I got sick for like a week last month and since I've just started a new job, hello unpaid sick leave. Just my luck that it's being taken out in the paycycle that coincides with my birthday. So hello brokecity!

It doesn't matter anyway. I've been doing a lot of (over)thinking lately and basically I've really got more things than I could wish for and I don't need much. Most of my birthday wishes are not material things like getting taken out for lunch for my birthday during my lunch break from work. #freemeal

But I made this little collage anyway.

1. Eames chair for the studio to match my new desk
2. Nike Air Force 1
3. White instax + an abundance of film
4. Just Kids by Patti Smith - a book I have been wanting for ages and I might just have to get it for $26 on TradeMe
5. FLOWERS!!!!! Flowers make me happy. Last week, I was at an event at Amy's Flowers and they were giving away the most gorgeous GIANT bouquets and I really wanted to win it and I swear it was the most intense moment of my life waiting for the winner to be announced. I'm quite specific with my flowers and I want a bouquet of white ones - roses, peonies, daisies. Anything except lillies!
6. PLANTS!!!! Also spotted at Amy's Flowers was a gorgeous bouquet of sedum morganianums aka those pretty overgrown long succulent thingies. But really, a selection of plants both leafy and succulents would make me so happy.

Done. Now to send this to mum and dad. . . .

I lost the plot

Note: I reflected back on a conversation I had a few weeks ago with my friend Alix about writing and blogging. Could I really identify with being a writer when I haven’t written anything remotely decent for ages now (or tried to for that matter) and could I call myself a blogger when I haven’t been doing much of that either? I’ve been lazy social media-ing lately – my accounts are filled with photos because I upload to Instagram and it automatically updates all my social media so it looks like I’m there but not really there. So this is my attempt at being a writer/blogger in one post.

I have lost the plot.

Yes, it’s true. How do I know this? 1. Because even my tried and tested trick of browsing through endless pages of inspirational/motivational quotes on Pinterest and re-pinning them in my own (this is where it gets cheesy) “Inspire” board doesn’t work anymore and 2. Boston’s More Than A Feeling was the only song I listened to and played it 38 times in one day. Why this is a sign of losing the plot I don’t know because I actually love that song.

Journaling

Hello from my bed! Working from home today because I'm down with a bit of a bug. Sneaking in some time to write on my journal too. Got some of the photos from NZFW printed and I'm having a blast remembering the crazy #yolo roadtrip my friend Michael and I did! Happy Monday x 

How rad are you?

The answer is hella. You are hella rad. Happy Monday and first of September! Let's make magic, do great work, and be kind to one another x

Still

           

I bought my first pair of sweatpants and subsequently changed my life. Had the best sleep in, ever so slightly opened my window to let fresh air in, and have been binge watching The Mindy Project since last night! After a crazy week (alternating my days between Auckland and back) full of passion, great people, and work, I cannot be more excited that it's the weekend. 

Maybe I'll get some writing done, clean my room (I should really...), or do some sketching. Possibly make a mixtape and turn it up real loud. I might even watch a movie, make terrariums, finally update the blog with photos from the week, and cut up old magazines to make a moodboard. Or maybe not. I may or may not even get out of bed or these sweatpants for that matter. That's the beauty of weekends like this. You're free to just be.

Passion

Isn't it incredible what passion can do?

I've been pondering it lately. What drives a person or motivates them? Why do we do the things we do? The answer, it seems to me, is passion. And I have been around so much of it lately. Since Saturday I've been alternating my time between Auckland and Hamilton, and while travelling I cannot shake the feeling of inspiration and motivation that consumes me everytime. 

Being around the fashion industry with NZFW happening around right now is inspiring. The vibe at the opening party was incredible (props to the team at Campbell + Co).  You can literally feel the buzz in the air and that affected the overall energy immensely. My friend Michael and I were in such good spirits long after the party as we discussed it over dinner and the travel home. 

But on the trip back, I thought about it again. The answer always leads me back to passion And what's better than being passionate? Being passionate with other people. 

Today, while in the beautiful Parnell, I was sat in a meeting with such passionate people that I literally wanted to cry. Is it unprofessional to cry in a meeting because you're so inspired, motivated, and passionate? I don't know. I held it in. But to be amongst that room, where people were throwing ideas in, collaborating, and having heavy discussions, I felt it again. It was so so clear to me that these people are passionate in what they do and we all wanted the same outcomes.

How great is it to be doing something you are passionate about? I'm not just talking about having a job that you love, but rather just doing things that you are passionate about. The arts, singing, dancing, writing, reading, playing sports, creating. Those things that we absolutely love. For me these are the motivators and what drives us.

I am incredibly grateful to be in a job that I am passionate about. I never thought I would end up working in the education industry during the day but turns out, education is something I am passionate about. 

And then there's those other great loves of mine - blogging, fashion, and magazines. I am so so lucky that I get to do these too. I get to write, be around fashion, style, create editorials and stories. Sure, it's a lot to balance a full-time job and other pursuits and having a life. But when your passionate about your endeavours, I think you make it work. I don't always get the balance right, and I think it will always be something you work on, but it is worth it in the end. 

Tonight I am back in Hamilton to do a photoshoot with some passionate people. I get to again be inspired and learn from them. I've had a full day of work, meetings, and travel, and this shoot probably will end later in the evening. But again, passion.

So whoever you are reading this, wherever you may be, whatever your passions are, I really hope that you are living it. I hope you have something that gets you up in the morning and drives you to do what you do and that you do it everyday.

I hope you live a life of passion. I hope you come alive. 

MF Gatecrashers for ThreadNZ

Saturday was a rad day. Not only did I get to go on a roadtrip with some good friends, but we also did a bit of shopping, exploring, and adventuring in Auckland. Then we all made our way to Golden Dawn in Ponsonby for MF Gatecrashers and the last Marr Factory show for the week. I covered it for ThreadNZ while Naomi took great photos which you can find here. Thanks to Megan of ThreadNZ for getting me to write stuff! It feels good to be back in the game indeed.

Personal diary of the day/night coming up shortly! For now I have a shoot to prepare for and fluff to remove from the heels that I'm getting the model to wear. Oh the glamour!

Oblivion

Sundays are for #1

Reading about inspiring spaces, sipping warm honey lemon tea laced with cinnamon (this nasty cough just won't go away), warm knit socks, and shaggy knitwear. Thanks to my mummy for getting me this issue of Spaces by Frankie, among other treats. I've been sick the whole week so today was all about relaxing, recuperating, and getting ready to get back into it tomorrow!

This is what Sundays are for

I think Sundays - particularly Sunday evenings - generally have a bad reputation. Almost as bad as Mondays. I mean, just look at Morrissey. He clearly identifies as a Sunday disliker.

Peace Out

The Carpenters Daughter at WFW14

This is a brand after my own heart. I knew it as soon as I had a little nosy on their website a few weeks ago, but their show at Wellington Fashion Week just confirmed how much I love them.

The first look (and my favourite item) was a dramatic black number. It's sheer, a bit sparkly, full-length, has a slit, and is everything I could ever want in an item. I literally gasped when I saw it. Loved the styling too from the ponytail to the boots. I am really just in love, okay, and will probably never get over this beautiful item.

Actually I lie. I don't have a favourite item. The polkadot coat, the touch of leopard in the collection, and designer Caroline Marr's sheer long top - every item was spot on. In fact, I am currently browsing their website right now. I mean we all deserve a treat every now and again, right?

P.S. Apologies for lack of photos and for lack of good quality images too. I was running late and I loved the clothes so much that I forgot to take photos. #noob

Wellington Fashion Week Day 2

Bedtime: How I think I look vs How I actually look

Took me and Steph a while to realise that For Every Minute is a lounge and sleepwear brand. The robes and the flimsy capes we would actually love to wear out. Oh well.

Wellington Fashion Week Day 2. Actually I lie. This is just the #WFW14 evening show edition because I did a separate post on Ruby | Liam and I haven't even talked about Highnoontea yet! Anyway, the highlights:

The Dreamers|Perception RUBY & Liam AW 14

This is embarrassing to admit but heaps of the photos turned out quite blurry because I was too busy ogling at the clothes, trying to bob my head to the music (is it morally wrong to dance in my seat at a runway show?), and take photos. 

Nevertheless, I had such a blast at the Ruby & Liam AW 14 show that at the end of the evening, I wanted to take all of the clothes home with me (of course I didn't because that is called stealing and is illegal in most places)! Check out some of the highlights from the show:

WFW14 Day One

Taking the bus to Wellington Fashion Week because I'm glamorous

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The Graduate

#madeit

Jessica Hernandez Molina, Bachelor of Media Arts - Communication (Public Relations and Advertising)

So this happened. I am officially a graduate! Now it's time to get out there, be kind, do good work, and share the good vibes. Congratulations to all the new graduates! We made it. Let's go beyond our wildest dreams and change the world!

Photos by the lovely Naomi of NaomiJorge Photography.

Boots

These boots were made for. . . everything! I've been on a hunt for chunky Chelsea boots like these for a really long time now. But it was summer in NZ and who would think about selling boots then? Cue Autumn and finding these New Look boots from ASOS! Happy feet indeed. Cheers, online shopping! 

If I ever fall in love again

My parents on their wedding day, 23 years ago today. Happy anniversary mum and dad! Thanks for getting married and having me (and my brothers but let's be honest I'm the best). Love you both!