"You always sparkle."

I'm going to share a mini story with you:

One day I was feeling a little under the weather. I had a cold, which left me with very little motivation to look glamorous. My boyfriend Lucas called me and asked if I wanted to come over so we could spend the day together.

"Of course," I said. "But I'm wearing your old sweats, my hair is a mess, and I'm not wearing any makeup. I don't sparkle today."

...And then he said, "But Gayle, you always sparkle."

♥ ♥ ♥

Always Sparkle by Pemberley Rose featuring embellished tops

Valentino embellished top, $850
Miss Selfridge grey skirt, 28 GBP
Forever21 wedge sandal, $26
Wallet, $20
Pearl necklace, $5,150
French Vintage Wall Mirror - Belle Escape, $879
Antique Brass Cristallo 5 Light Crystal Chandelier, 75 GBP

Spring Awakening

It was another cold, cloudy day here in Southern California, which made me wish more and more that it could be springtime. I've already started looking through my closet, trying to put together some cute outfits for the warmer months. For the rest of you, I've created a complete outfit based on this lovely photo of Katy Perry.

[image source: Google]

Inspired by Katy Perry

[All pieces from Forever 21]

1. strapless floral print dress

2. satin rosette headband

3. bangles

4. pink handbag

5. glossy wedges

Make a Statement

I love dainty sterling silver necklaces as much as the next girl...but I'm seeing more and more of these stunning statement pieces, and I'm in love! These pretty rings, bracelets, and necklaces would fancy up even the simplest outfits.

Cara Accessories 'Critters' Frog Crystal Stretch Ring

Cara Accessories 'Critters' Blowfish Crystal Stretch Ring

Cara Accessories 'Critters' Hummingbird Crystal Stretch Ring

Juicy Couture 'Entangled Enchantment' Twisted Bib Necklace

Juicy Couture 'Festival Chic' Charm & Pearl Cluster Bracelet

Betsey Johnson 'Betsey's Dollhouse' Rose Charm Stretch Bracelet

Betsey Johnson 'Betsey's Dollhouse' Heart Charm Statement Necklace

Tell Me You Love Me

I remember when I posted my last Polyvore inspiration board, I was hoping for more rainy, overcast days. It's funny because now that it's stormy and cloudy, I'm looking forward to spring and more bright, sunny days. I think this board definitely reflects that. Tiffany/robin's egg blue looks so pretty and springy with light pink. ♥

Tell Me You Love Me by Pemberley Rose featuring short dresses

Short dress, $50
Rupert Sanderson high heels, 429 EUR
Blue pendant, $200
Tag heart pendant, $115
12 | Aristocrats and Rustics Ready-Made Picture Frames | Picture...
ikea REKTANGEL, $4.99
Looking Past the Looking Glass Wall Art in Perched, $13
Bo Bunny Press - Snowy Serenade Collection - 12 x 12 Glittered Paper -..., $1.04

I Have Fashionable Friends

Last night was the night I finally got to celebrate my birthday with my friends. We had an amazingly delicious dinner at Maggiano's in South Coast Plaza. I had the braised beef cannelloni, which was seriously life changing. :) I'm kind of sad that we didn't take any pictures during dinner. The restaurant is really pretty both inside and out.

So after dinner, my friends and I made impromptu plans to go to Dave and Buster's. Best idea ever! Here are the two best pictures from D&B, with Faustina and her sister Dianna. Aren't their outfits fabulous?

This picture would have been perfect if the flash hadn't been so bright. But I love how my BestFriend and I are both wearing blue. We didn't plan that at all.

Di's outfit was supercute too! And about that bear...he was my prize after Lucas and I traded in all our tickets. His name is Batman.

And just for fun, here's another souvenir from D&B...

I have no idea why our baby looks Vietnamese. :D

What Staying Strong Really Means

I've already known for a quite a while that life has its ups and downs. That couldn't have been more true about the past few days. As I've mentioned, I had a great 22nd birthday lunch with my mom, dad, grandma, and brother. And later that night, I went over to Lucas' house to celebrate my birthday and an early Valentine's Day.

Now fast forward to yesterday, the end of Cycle 3.2. I am honestly not exaggerating; yesterday was the worst day of my life. Not only did I manage to embarrass myself by throwing up in the infusion center, I also spent about two hours throwing up at home until there was literally nothing left in my stomach. I'm a little better now, but I'm still nauseated and way too tired to do anything.

My point in posting this is not to complain or to try to solicit pity. What I'm actually trying to do is share what I think staying strong really means. I have two friends in my Monday night class who've told me that I have sprezzatura - that somehow, I have a kind of grace that makes living with cancer seem easier than it actually is. Now I wonder, as flattering as that is, is that actually a good thing? Am I doing anyone any favors by pretending that this is easy? Am I really just lying to myself and faking it every single day?

I've thought about these questions, and here's what I came up with: No, I don't think I'm doing any harm in "pretending" this is easy. Frankly, I don't see how I'm pretending or faking at all. This is my life and it is pretty amazing, with its ups and its downs. Besides, let's be honest: What good would it do for me to just mope and complain all the time? I think it's far more inspiring for me stay positive and continue to sparkle, no matter what.

That's what I intend to do.

[image source: we♥it]

Style Post 22nd Birthday Edition

First things first...Happy Valentine's Day! Whether you're single, in a relationship, engaged, or married, I hope you all have a wonderful day. ♥

So this is what I wore yesterday for my 22nd Birthday lunch with my family. This dress is super pretty! I love the flutter sleeves and the pink rose print.

It was a little chilly after lunch yesterday, so I wore the A&F sweater from this post after these pictures were taken.

My mom bought this necklace for herself during our last trip to Nordstrom. She let me borrow it yesterday because it not only looked amazing with my dress, but it also coordinated with the bows on my pink purse...

...And here it is! LOVE! It picks up the colors of the rose print on my dress quite nicely. 

And here are the shoes I wore yesterday: ruffled pewter flats. These are so comfortable.

I wish I had worn my hair like this! I didn't have any matching hair clips or plain bobby pins though.

dress: Frenchi

necklace: Sequin

purse: Juicy Couture

flats: Jeffrey Campbell

Studded Belts & Converse

Yay! It's my birthday! My plans today include: lunch at Red Lobster with my family, a trip to the mall, and to top it all off...homework. That's what I get for procrastinating. Haha.

 

Speaking of procrastination, I didn't start planning my dinner with friends until two days ago. It was way too short notice to have it today, so it'll be this Friday.

Until then, let's take a trip down memory lane. These are pictures from my 18th birthday photoshoot.

It's pretty hard to believe that it's been four years since I was a senior in high school.

In case you're wondering, yes, I do still wear Converse. Studded belts? Not so much. :)

I'm also amazed by how skinny and utterly curve-less I was at 18. O.O

Sparkly Things

Lucas and I were supposed to go to Disneyland again yesterday. But after a last minute change of plans, we decided to tour LA/Hollywood instead. We had a great time exploring the Walk of Fame and other landmarks. (We didn't enjoy the traffic though!) Sadly, we have no pictures because we both forgot to bring a camera.

As consolation, we stopped by the Citadel Outlets on our way back home. I found these gorgeous hair clips and bobby pins at the Suo boutique.

I loved how I was able to buy these individually, so I could mix and match. As you may have noticed by now, teal is becoming one of my favorite colors. I can't wait to wear these!

How to Build a Lasting Relationship

If nothing else, try to remember this...

[image source: we♥it]

...because "what he wants" is just 

as important as "what I want"

Valentine's Day Inspiration

There is exactly one week left until Valentine's Day, which is the day after my birthday. Since my boyfriend will be working and I'll be in class from 7:00-9:45pm, we have absolutely no plans. Of course, that doesn't stop me from sharing this romantic inspiration board with you.

[all images from we♥it]

Notice that there are no roses or any flowers for that matter on this board. Lucas knows to never get me flowers because 1) I have the opposite of a green thumb, and 2) They would die within a few days even if I could take care of them properly. That doesn't sound romantic at all to me.

So anyway, share your thoughts on Valentine's Day. Love it? Hate it? Couldn't care less?

Style Post 2.6.11

This dress is, without a doubt, my absolute favorite. It's my go-to dress for when I want to look dressed up, but not too dressy - if that makes any sense. This is what I wore when I went out shopping today. And yes, I will admit that I probably was a little too "dazzled up" as Lucas puts it, for just going to Nordstrom Rack. But I can't help it. For me, getting dressed up to go shopping makes the whole experience that much better.

Every time I put on this dress, I feel like I should be hosting a Victorian tea party - maybe something Alice in Wonderland inspired. I would just need some lace wrist gloves and a cocktail hat and I'd be all set.

I feel so ladylike...even with those unsightly PICC line tubes protruding like that. Haha.

Here's a closeup of my ribbon pearl necklace and the adorable white rabbit pattern on my dress. I think the bunnies are what remind me so much of Alice in Wonderland.

bunny dress: unknown brand
(the label somehow fell off in the washer)

ribbon pearl necklace: Forever 21

bag: H&M

flats: Report

 

Dear BestFriend,

Eek, I'm a day late! Yesterday was your 22nd birthday and I completely forgot to post the inspiration board that I made for you - OOPS! Well, here it is: teal glitter and eyeshadow because I know you love makeup, a peacock because they're fabulous and so are you, and fireworks because...

...well you're a firework. ♥

[all images from we♥it]

Prom 2007

My dress was your favorite color. :)

♥always&forever(no homo),
Gayle

22nd Birthday Plans

I apologize for the lack of posts lately. I've actually been meaning to put together a Style Post featuring my new Juicy Couture purse (the one that my mom gave me as an early birthday present). Maybe on Thursday, I'll have a fabulous outfit to show off. :)

[image source: we♥it]

In the meantime, I need to figure out what to do for my 22nd birthday. I have exactly 12 days to decide (Actually, more like 11 since I'd rather have the dinner on a Saturday.) My BestFriend, Faustina of red lipstick, black lace is having her birthday dinner at the House of Blues in Anaheim. I'll admit, I'm jealous! I love Downtown Disney and I totally wish I had thought of that idea for my birthday dinner. Does anyone living in Orange County have any other suggestions?