#GIRLBOSS.

A bit late on the bandwagon, but I finally got around to reading founder and CEO of Nasty Gal, Sophia Amoruso's book #GIRLBOSS.

My dear friend from San Francisco bestowed upon me a few books on my departure from the city last year, and among them was this autographed treasure.

It wasn't the first time I had heard of Nasty Gal. Attending fashion school in the near vicinity of Nasty Gal's headquarters, there were plenty of presentations and social media hubbub about her and her company. I remember distinctly being hesitant about the name and not wanting to be obsessed with something everyone else was obsessing over, I moseyed along and thought nothing of it.

Until now.

Needing inspiration in this particular time in my life, I sat in front of my bookshelf and pulled out a few untouched books dying to be read and understood.

Essentially, it's her story, how she went from selling clothing on eBay to creating a very successful $100 million dollar company. Sophia's telling is very... rough around the edges, and she's very much the quintessential #GIRLBOSS. Full of advice, quotes, drawings, and even a few throwback pictures, it's most certainly an enlightening read.

In fact, it kind of opened up my eyes. In particular, she touched upon one of my favorite subjects: power of positive thinking.

"We control our thoughts and our thoughts control our lives. It's the age-old concept of like attracts like, or the law of attraction. You get back what you put out, so you might as well think positively, focus on visualizing what you want instead of getting distracted by what you don't want, and send the universe your good intentions so it can send them right back."

I've spent a lot of time as of late perseverating over what I'm going to do in the future, what job I should apply for, blah blah blah. What I've failed to realize, however, is that my mindset was stuck in negative-ville and that nothing good was coming my way because 1.) I wasn't thinking positively 2.) nothing good comes your way when you don't put in any hard work.

That being said, not only am I inspired immensely to do something about my current situation, but I'm in the process of starting a very exciting chapter, one that I've been most passionate about and one that I thought to "put on the backburner" until I got some experience.

But you see, the best time is now. The will to create something that mirrors my passion can't be put on hold and I believe that this is the time for me to finally start the journey to becoming my very own #GIRLBOSS.

My experience and temporary rejection is all part of the journey. All things are happening for a reason and it's all helping me find out who I truly am, what I want, and how I'm going to achieve it...

Lookin' Good. Feline Lucky.

It's uncanny how I was just talking about timing and how being at home is where I'm meant to be right now.

Because the next day, I ended up winning a trip to Mexico and $1000 playing a game of luck at a Hospice auction I attended with my parents.

Where did that even come from!

And it was a heads or tails game, so it's not like any skills were involved. 100% chance and somehow, I miraculously managed to get down to the top four (in a game of about seventy), and won to the ecstatic cheering of my mom and dad when tails was the winner.

It's wild to me, how things work like that. I think the only other time I had ever won something (at all) was at my graduation party in San Francisco when I won an Anthropologie mug, and I thought then that I was rolling in the dough! Last night, I was literally rolling in the dough, and I had a free trip to Mexico alongside it.

I was given a chance last night, encouraged by my mom to take part in the game ("But Mom, I never win!") and something perfect turned out because of it.

You just never know when life's gonna throw you something worth holding onto. Best be sure you're dressed for the part!

Lookin' good, feline lucky...

Winner #106! What an enjoyable evening with the fam.

Bloom Where You're Planted, Even If It's Covered In Snow.

Mom had been gone for just under twelve hours before things started to go downhill.

First, I went into the ditch. Forty minutes of shoveling later, a neighbor took pity on me in my snowy state and kindly pulled me out, much to my embarrassment.

That same day, my dad took a spill on the trails and ended up dislocating his clavicle, tearing his rotator cuff, and pulling a hammy.

And Mom had just left the day before! She really does hold the family together.

Things looked pretty dim there the start of the week, but as the week wore on, I realized that I am exactly where I need to be, when I need to be.

Think about it. If I hadn't been here, Dad would be alone with no one to care for him (and there's lots to care for with a guy with one arm).

If I wasn't here, I wouldn't be able to enjoy the dumping of snow we've recently been receiving.

If I wasn't here, I wouldn't be able to fan girl with my dad whenever a good basketball game was on and we wouldn't be able to shout out: "Atomic athleticism! He drilled that three and obliterated the interior!"

If I wasn't here, I wouldn't be able to enjoy spin classes with my mom and daily trips to Coffee Roasters.

And most importantly, I wouldn't be able to give all my love to my cat. Fudge without daily attention is a catastrophe just waiting to happen.

You see, what matters most is the moment of now. I can live hanging on to the past, weeping through photo albums, and I can anxiously worry about the future; or, I can live effortlessly in the gift of the present. Everything happens for a reason, and I truly believe that being in Alaska right now is where I'm meant to be. My presence is helping others (Mom, Dad, Fudge) and I think that the break truly is allowing me to consider my next steps with thorough and careful thought.

It took Mom leaving and my dip into the ditch for me to figure that out, but better late than never!

Plus, you simply cannot beat a tromp through fresh snow in lovely thirty degree weather...

Forever home sweet home...

Snowy Surprise.

I woke to the silent and steady snowfall of a pure Alaskan winter.

Ain't that a treasure.

As easy as it is to simply admire the scene from the comfort of my bed, I find that too much of a good thing isn't always a good thing, and I've spent far too much time cooped up in my bed.

Plus, I have an entire closet full of clothing just whining to be worn and enjoyed, and dressing up always does wonders on my mood.

The power of lightly applying lipstick, the sensation of a zipper sliding up just right so the clothes hug your body like they're made especially for you, and the feeling of standing a few inches taller in stilettos is magical and it still puts a smile on my face. It reminds me of when I was a little girl dressing up in my mom's heels and negligee.

Dressing old schooled, my mom and I walked into the snowy scenery and were taking pictures as usual when all of a sudden, I heard crackling behind me.

I had attracted the attention of one such moose and his photo bombs were most amoosing.

Guess I wasn't the only one enjoying the splendor of snow! 

What a surprise indeed..

I moose admit, it was nice to have some bona fide Alaskan company...

Now I moose say goodbye! Until next time. Enjoy the snow, Boris..

Fur Sure Foxy.

I woke up this morning in tears.

Which is not normal for me. The crying, yes, but the time of day, no.

You see, I finally got word about the status of an interview I had and needless to say, it didn't work out. As an emotional person, I let loose a few tears whilst brushing my teeth (not the prettiest sight in the world), and proceeded to get ready for my morning.

Luckily, I had the brains and genius to pick out an outfit the night before and the outfit did not suit my current mood. Cheetah print top, Adidas sneaks, and one foxy fur coat were not part of an ensemble that let in room for sadness and disappointment.

Without even knowing it, I had successfully managed to force myself to turn around through the art and power of clothing. Fur sure.

A woman who wears foxy clothing doesn't have time to dwell on the past and get stuck in a rut. A woman who wears street sneaks doesn't have time to call it quits and wallow at home. This woman has an untapped power just waiting to be unleashed. This woman has run into a little bump in the road and the animal within is dying to be released into the wild, on another road less traveled.

As much as I want to feel discouraged, I have to remain positive in the sense that I simply have to find something that's available for me out there. I have to reach out to those who can help me, and I have to look at the future with the optimism I know is inside of me.

The world is mine for the taking and I am now faced with an exciting opportunity to pursue whatever it is I want. Wherever I want!

Like the foxy lady I know I am, I have to remain fearless in the pursuit of what sets my soul on fire. And at least I know what that is! All I have to do is focus on where to look...

What I wore: black Tom Ford sunglasses (consignment), assortment of vintage pearl necklaces (antique), vintage cream coat with green fox trim fur (antique store), black Classiques Entier cigarette pants (Mom's), and green Adidas sneakers with cheetah trim (consignment).

Power of Lipstick.

I was very much inspired by none other than the wise Coco Chanel.

Addressing a particular feeling of sadness, something that I have felt a bit these last few weeks in apt anticipation, I felt challenged and encouraged when I first read the quote. 

If you're sad, add more lipstick and attack.

Now for some reason, that stuck with me. I've been struggling for ways to plow through those doubtful thoughts running through my head and out of all the solutions, this one hit a chord with me.

You know what? It works! Of course, I added in some high heels because there's nothing better than being even taller than I already am, but I felt such bossiness running through my veins and I went through the day confident and without negativity.

Sometimes, you need a little swift kick in the britches to get your head on straight again. And who better to listen to than Chanel?

You feel boss, and you look good doin it.

My red lips also happened to attract the attention of a certain someone in the supermarket today, and I ended up leaving with a beary loveable Valentine named Beary. See? The power of lipstick is real.

The Alaskan solution to wearing heels in the winter? Sorrel solved that with their epic waterproof booties.

What I wore: black Tom Ford sunglasses (consignment), glass prism earrings (vintage), black Lilly Ann vintage coat (Mom's), red rhinestone Rose Bowl pin (antique), black LAmade undershirt (consignment), white lace Prada button vest (consignment), black Lycee leggings, check J Crew socks, and black Sorrel ankle boots (Nordstrom Rack).