only a life lived for others is a life worthwhile

By now, I'm sure the majority of you have heard about the 7.8 earthquake that hit China last Monday. And if you haven't, do a quick search of "China" on Google News and the first 15 or so pages should give you some insight. With the death toll expected to be upwards of 50,000 I'm not sure what to say or feel. Just that these pictures are nothing short of amazing and I'm thoroughly relieved that in the midst of the political fire that China has been under, there has still been an outpouring of aid and support.

The two children pictured above were rescued from the earthquake and are now orphans as a result of the disaster. What Hurricane Katrina was to the United States, this earthquake has become to China (if not, much larger in scale). Money donations to aid in relief efforts are pivotal to their success. Think about it, what's another pair of designer jeans or a handbag when people's lives are at stake?

Payless is getting smart

I'm not sure how many in the blogosphere actually frequent Payless.com as a legitimate place to shop for footwear, but I often pay the site a gander just to check out cheap shoes and their collabs which actually are quite good. Anyway, I have been meaning to get the traditional saddle oxford for almost two years now as a cheap alternative to the others that can be attributed to the likes of Steve Madden, Nine West, etc. Although I have never gotten around to it, I have noticed a price increase on the shoe. I vividly remember that the price on these babies used to be $14.99 and now, they are $17.99. Still all man-made materials, same product description (so I'm assuming nothing else has changed), the lining may have turned into a checked/plaid pattern, but who knows? I just don't get the price increase, Payless. Keep your shoes cheap, and let it be known that your price increase, albeit measly, has motivated me to search for better crafted versions, although I have yet to stumble upon a pair with the same clunky kid-ish black/white cuteness complete with small perforations and brown sole...

Recommendations, anyone?

an addition to the family tree

Say hello to the newest member of the Somethingpicasso's shoe family, Sullibans! Played hookie for a day and went off to do some intense shoe shopping (from 10 in the morning to 4 in the afternoon) with a friend and her mom after the IB English exam, and managed to come back with a single pair of shoes. I had set out to buy the Nine West Heech, but found they are incredibly difficult to walk in, so I settled for these. Fellow blogger Lulu of Everybody is Ugly has them too, and pulls them off quite nicely might I add. More on them later when I actually have somewhere to wear them...

getting inked

Although tattoos are becoming more and more common, they are still generally seen as unprofessional in the larger corporate world. Despite this view, it has become a small goal of mine to acquire some sort of permanent marking that I was not born with. Definitely not a full sleeve or anything blatantly obvious and/or large, but instead, something small, discreet, and easy to cover up. While some take after the entertainment industry for inspiration (ie: Nicole Richie's rosary on her ankle is so incredibly common as are the pair of angel wings on her back), I would rather have a line of text or a small symbol that I personally have chosen. It is so stupid to copy someone that you would never cross paths with unless it just so happens that their marking is exactly what you have wanted all your life, and what are the chances of that?

I'm sorry I am unable to provide photo sources for the ones used in the collage, but I have had the photos tucked away for so long in a file on my computer that I have no idea where they originate from.

off to the polls

I know there's been many a posts devoted to the onslaught of exams that us student bloggers must go through, but my week is borderline ridiculous (I have an International Baccalaureate exam everyday this week with the exception of Friday) Not too stressed because it does not matter much, but writing four papers in 2.5 hours on the origins of the Cold War, Mao Zedong, single-party states, development of the PRC, East-West rivalry post WWII, etc. today was not exactly my idea of fun either. The history paper-writing continues tomorrow along with the first part of the math exam, 7 hours of testing, bring it?

In other news, I went to cast my vote for presidential primaries today and I got a sticker that said "I Voted." So yes, go democrats, I won't disclose who I cast my ballot for, lest you judge me.

Annnd, this is an old outfit from a few weekends or something ago.

Target striped long sleeve worn as a skirt, vintage Tommy Hilfiger polo,
grey hoodie from unknown place, Urban Outfitters black stirrup tights,
Natural Comfort peeptoe platforms (which I rarely ever wear, despite there comfort)

I should go be studious now. Wish me luck tomorrow, and tell me what you're up to!

Google is going to blow them out of the water

Before Blingo decided to go completely wonky for who knows what reason and used Yahoo, rather than Google, for the searches, it was my primary search engine. I mean, who doesn't enjoy free presents just for Google-ing whatever your heart desires? But now that it has switched to Yahoo, it's just not the same and I have reverted back to safe ole, regular Google (not the iGoogle mess yet though). I can't help but Google myself and all my user names from time to time just to see how prevalent I am on the Interweb. God I am a dork and slightly self-obsessed, I know. Oh and the majority of the blogs I visit I get to through Google because I can't be bothered enough to search through bookmarks, etc. when Google is set as home.

Anyway, today's Google background confuses me. At first I thought it was maracas, you know the Spanish noisemaker that you shake? But now I am just confused, is it some holiday? What did Jeff Koons, the photographer, photograph and why is it up today?

go go Gorjana

Last Tuesday, after a short email correspondence with Iva at Gorjana the week before, a package arrived for me from Gorjana all the way from Laguna Beach, California.


Prior to being contacted, I was already relatively familiar with Gorjana because of my frequent visits to Shopbop.com and Maxandchloe.com, so when it came down to which necklace I would choose for a write-up, a plethora of styles came to mind. At first, the Twinkle Star necklace appealed to me, but after some major deliberation on my part, I opted for the Heritage necklace. Gorjana creates jewelery that is simple in idea, attentive to detail, and small/dainty when worn. The Heritage necklace I received has no clasp as other necklaces do, but instead is a working lock! This did take me a minute to figure out (I thought I would have to attempt to pull it over my head), but it was a happy surprise. In addition, all of Gorjana's pieces are incredibly light and layerable. I put a few other necklaces I owned in a picture together and I think they juxtapose each other quite nicely. Plus, they are not astronomically priced (the majority of things are within the $60-250 price range with the exception of fine jewelery).

Gorjana's entire collection is now available for purchase on their new website Gorjana.com. And I must admit, I have been eyeing a certain pair of Aster Stud earrings as well as a stack of stackable rings. Oh and lastly, A BIG THANK YOU GOES OUT TO IVA AT GORJANA!