Too soon, but I'm moving

To my small group of audience who followed me from the day I re-published my official grown-up blog until now (because five months seem like quite a journey), thank you for being there; for quietly supporting and following my blog posts.

Now that I have officially named this year a superb one with new experiences, challenges, and improvement. I decided to move my blog to a new site! A site I have never tried using before because I was afraid of change, I was afraid of something I cannot truly control, I got too comfortable in this scene. But now is my time to explore the unknown and make most of the world my playground.

After much contemplation and exploration through their website, I decided that it might be better for me to move to Wix! Not that I don't love my blogspot space but I find it better to navigate around Wix. In terms of choosing a template, theme, and editing- I think Wix does a good job in keeping it user-friendly and appealing (minus the Wix ad going on, on the upper-right corner and entire lower area on my blog). Nevertheless, it was a nice experience editing my blog there, I didn't have my usual breakdowns on why some apps or images are where they're not supposed to be or just totally not showing up. 
Surprisingly, I never went to the "edit html" part on Wix which I usually do here in blogspot. I actually know a little bit about html since maybe 6 years ago for the sake of cleaning up stuff in my blog but usually it gives me a mental migraine just fixing codes. It's so refreshing to know that I don't have to go through "edit html" to edit anything!

Anyway, here's the link to my new blog:

http://laarniamartin.wix.com/stateoflaarniblog

Hope you find it better too! Also, don't forget to click the little social media links and follow me on Twitter, Instagram, Tumblr and Pinterest. While you're at it, comment on my very first blog post in my new blog! I really had fun adding the comment box on there.

Cheers! Laarni, xoxo

New Year, New Me: 2016

Of course I know, how cliché Laarni. If you've known me for a while, I find joy using sarcasm in mainstream phrases or actions. Just (partially) kidding. As you've noticed, I haven't posted anything in two months! So much for promising myself that I can maintain a blog now. However, 2016 has been really good to me so far. I feel more motivated this year more than ever! I started with not overloading myself with 5 courses instead, I opted for 4 so I can focus on joining school clubs, getting more work hours, focusing more on my readings, and finally stressing out a bit less. Taking 4 courses and working in a place I can truly call my second home are the best choices I've done so far this year.

2015 has been a year of discovery. I learned a lot throughout the year; what my mistakes were and never do the same thing again. I guess I can call it my 'Dark Ages', almost complete detorioration of who I was. The only thing getting me by was the small light of hope I see while my Fall classes progress (if you don't know yet, I'm a Political Science undergrad who's trying to get into policy making or something related in the future), two of my Poli Sci courses were very active in local and international events. We talked about almost everything I need to be aware of as a Poli Sci student who just wants to do justice in this world, and create progressiveness for every individual (because humanity is my core). This year: I will be taking all those I've learned from my classes, from the people I shared interests with, from the events I went to, and some personal life lessons and I will make this a great and productive year, a.k.a my year of 'Enlightenment'!

To start off, I joined two school clubs which says so much about me: The Environmental club and International Socialist club. Both clubs have ethical virtues which I full-on support, part of me joining this club is a not-so-wild idea of me turning Vegetarian. If I did decide to finally make the move, I will let you know why (I believe the reason deserves an entire post dedicated only to the reason why I turned Vegetarian [or vegan, who knows]).
Lastly and truly exciting for me, I'm starting a Youtube vlog with three other ladies! I met these two girls in my current school, Langara. All of us seemingly have different styles but when we get together, it's nothing but pure fun! We all share the same interests in make-up, fashion, food, and the Vancouver fun life. Not to mention we're all diverse ;) Watch out for Threedegrees.Vancouver and don't forget to Subscribe! 

 

  Cheers! Laarni, xoxo

October In a Gist

This post has been long overdue and I extremely apologize to my blog and you, if you happen to pop by every so often, for the lack of updates. I feel remorse because I promised a more "maintained blog" but as usual, midterm papers and exams chained me so I don't get to blog. Just kidding, it seems like school is such a drag, honestly it isn't! I love learning, I just don't like how pressured I am (I'm sure you feel the same way) to finish back to back papers, exams, and do exceptionally well on it.

Anyhow...

As the people really close to me probably know, October is my favorite month! Not just because it's my birth month (Okay fine, maybe I'm a little bias), but also it's the middle of Fall season. It's when Canada's Thanksgiving is, meaning all those good pumpkin pies and yummy harvest foods (corn!) are everywhere (and, pumpkin spiced lattes and graham lattes!). Also, Halloween is my favorite "holiday/event" next to Christmas because you guessed it... I like horror, carved pumpkins, costume dress ups (or at least seeing other people's dress up game), and candies! This month as well is the prime weather- not freezing cold but isn't warm either.

 I went to Vancouver Fashion Week early this month too! My first ever fashion week.

 Monika Lepschy's sleek and eccentric S/S 16 collection

 What I'm wearing: LBD- American Apparel, Bag- H&M

Blanket scarf- Plum (local store: http://plum.ca), brown belt- Kate French (local store and the place I work at! http://katefrench.ca), booties- Exposure (local store: http://exposureclothing.ca)

On my lips: Nars, Velvet Matte lip pencil in Mysterious Red

Up next: A plethora of pumpkin patch group photos

 And you catch the first sightings of my man!

  

 And lastly....

 For Halloween, my roommates and I carved Adventure Time pumpkins (I did BMO)! We absolutely love the show that our daily routine consists of watching it during dinner time (Everyone has to be present. No excuses. Papers have to wait).

Cheers! Laarni, xoxo

September outfit diary

As Fall's starting to creep into the northern hemisphere; days are getting shorter and colder, nights- longer and mistier. Though it won't be below 0 (or not even below +5)anytime soon in the west coast, I'm glad I can finally slowly layer up and wear my favorite comfy outfits.

First look:

 (Top: Hypr at Kate French | Pants: Kate French)

 (Necklace: Oak + Fort | Flats: Zara)

It was a pleasant sunny day but not too warm, and since it was an early school day and I wanted to look at least presentable yet absolutely comfy like I'm just lounging at home in my PJ's, I opted for this look.

PS. Above photos are shot from Highstreet at South Granville, it's another local store but they mostly carry the amazing, LA based-brand: Wildfox. My photos are shot by their manager-in-training, Abby!

She's really nice and was very helpful when I was looking for a gift for a friend. Definitely stop by and say hi! The store is very welcoming and your fitting room experience is an oh-so-instagram-worthy feel (if you're down to those stuff).

Second look:

 (Leather jacket: gifted | Top: my grandma's | Blanket scarf: Plum, Vancouver)

(Boyfriend jeans: Target | Trainers: Sketchers)

Second look- a.k.a "how to dress your Sketchers", and when you don't have anyone with you... Mirror selfie!

On a different note, midterms and research papers are coming way too fast at me that I may not update for a month but nevertheless, I'm always in Instagram and Snapchat! So don't fret.

Cheers! Laarni xoxo

Food for Thought

"We need an essentially new way of thinking if mankind is to survive. Men must radically change their attitudes toward each other and their views of the future. Force must no longer be an instrument of politics... Today, we do not have much time left; it is up to our generation to succeed in thinking differently. If we fail, the days of civilized humanity are numbered."

-Albert Einstein

 

All I'm saying is: let's start a positive change in our society. Do good each day, you know what's right and polite so don't hesitate to show it to anyone (even if they're rude to you), influence your friends and family to help other people from the bottom of their hearts and maybe someday this positive change will reach everyone and we can finally say that after all, "we are humans for humans", someday those people who changed for the better will be our great leaders- not politicians, they will know that doing the right thing is not an option. In the future, all these human conflicts and world wars will completely die off and once and for all, what started the wars will never have to repeat itself again.

**All photos were from Pinterest 

 Cheers! Laarni xoxo

Current Favorites

As I focus on being a lifestyle blog now, I will be starting off with the current stuff I'm totally loving right now. 
September is the start of a new term, a new season (which is my favorite btw!), and a whole new living for me.

1. Body Shop's Vitamin E skin care collection (The basics)

Le Premier: New life, new blog!

After a couple of months working on how to re-make my blog and with all the moving, looking for a job, and applying for a new university on the side, it became a little difficult to hold my blog ideas together when I'm trying to do all those adult stuff. Finally though, before Fall term starts and I got everything straightened out, this is the final touch to everything I have accomplished so far... a new blog (and maintaining it!).

Ever since I explored Vancouver city, I immediately fell inlove. Not only is it situated near the ocean and the mountains but the local scene in the different neighborhoods are up and coming.
I have always loved and supported local because this is what makes a city comes alive (economically and socially). These people who decided to risk their hard earned cash just to challenge the big box scenes, to express what they love through their business, to share what they know to everyone, these are one of the unsung heroes. Though of course I still get my occasional Starbucks fix.

So, let this blog be a new record of all my adventures, favorites, lifestyle, and of course #OOTDs in the big city of Canada's west coast. This time for sure though, I will be maintaining this blog and I promise to keep it updated!

 Wreck beach @ 7:30 pm

View of downtown/Yaletown from beside Olympic Village

PS. I edited most of my layout that's why it's not very on fleek, I'm getting there though don't worry.

Cheers! Laarni xoxo