In the islands of Waikiki

Island Paradise 

As the year started, you start to reminisce on the past year and how you can change your outlook for the better for the next year to come. Last year, a friend of mine planned her family vacation in February and asked if I'd like to come along. After having a rough year myself, I decided this would be the best way to begin my year of change. We went on some awesome adventures around Oahu and Waikiki. Here are a few of the adventures that I wanted to share with you. 

 

Flying into Oahu, Hawaii

 

Our amazing view from the resort

 

I made it to paradise!

 

The water had turtles that would swim right next to you

 

Went on an awesome hike that ended with a beautiful waterfall

 

Hawaiian shaved ice is a must!

 

Moraga Steps

Moraga Steps 

I'm a fraud. Yes, I said it! I recently moved to San Francisco in December and although I say that I'm 'new' to the city... I've over extended my tourist days here in this foggy metropolitan city throughout my entire life. So yes, I'm a fraud by saying I'm 'new' to this city.

I've lived in the Bay Area my entire life. I went to college an hour away, worked in San Francisco post college and even dated a few people from this city. I've driven over the Golden Gate Bridge more times than I can count, went to Alcatraz for field trips, drank in Dolores Park, partied at Outside Lands Music Festival, attended Night Life at the CA Academy of Sciences, hung out with the elephants at the SF Zoo, had a bonfire on Ocean Beach... I mean, you get the point. 

I've done the touristy, fun things that any new transplant to the city should definitely experience. This city will always be my home, but I've been dying to find new adventures in this city because there's a part of me that needs change. Well, what do you know... I found the Moraga Steps just a few blocks from my house! 

These steps were meant to replicate famous mosaic steps in Rio De Janerio, Brazil. Much of the effort was taken upon the SF neighborhood association to create a project to enjoy the view that only the people living in the Sunset District could find. They were finally finished in 2005 and have been a tourist attraction just 15 minutes away from Golden Gate Park. 

Chic Weather

Chic Weather Collab

I would like to thank the amazing team at Chic Weather for helping me out on this collaboration. We had beautiful weather at the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco for this shoot. We even crashed a wedding!!! 

In all seriousness, I love what Chic Weather is on the verge of creating. When you get up in the morning and have no idea what to wear, you search up your favorite Fashion Bloggers, Pinterest Boards, old albums and Instagram pictures for inspiration. Wouldn't it be awesome if you could grab inspiration and also make sure it's weather appropriate? Chic Weather is on the verge of creating this amazing app for your phone! Check out chicweather.com for more details. 

 

 

 

 

 Outfit details: 

Shirt: H&M // Pants: Banana Republic // Shoes: Vince Camuto at Nordstrom // Purse: BP at Nordstrom // Sunglasses: RayBan // Necklace: Forever 21 // Scarf: Forever 21 // Rings: Charlotte Russe

San Francisco stole my heart & wallet

Mama made the big move

There you have it people, it's been confirmed by all sources!!! Kastania Victoria has moved to the most expensive city in America. Why do you ask? Well, I sat down with the very single twenty something year old to get the inside scoop. 

(what if people wrote like the tabloids on their blogs? haha this is great!) 

We sat down in a freezing apartment near the Sunset District to chat with the 'so-called' SF Fashion & Lifestyle Blogger about the big move. Here's what she had to say!

Hey there, to the people that read this blog (just my mom)! Just wanted to chat about my crazy logic in moving to the most expensive city in America and why I took the plunge.

Living at home and being in your twenty's, kinda sucks!   

By all means, some people have to move home for a number of reasons and I'm not discrediting it whatsoever (clearly I did it!) I'm just saying that there comes a point when you've saved up enough money to be a big kid and now you gotta get your butt out! As a single lady in my twenty's, sometimes I want to come home and drink an entire bottle of wine while watching Scandal in my pajamas, ALONE! Sometimes you can't do that when you live at home. SOMETIMES, your Mom would be concerned you're turning into an alcoholic. (I'm good Mom, don't trip)

Cliche is my middle name 

So freaking cliche, but my life is made up of cheesy cliches. I wanted to live in a big city after college and get the full experience. Yes, I lived in Anaheim (next to Disneyland, right outside of LA) but it just wasn't the same. Anaheim is still super suburbia. I live for the hustle and bustle of loud noises and people rushing around! I thrive on FOMO (fear of missing out)! If everyone around me is running around being the best version of themselves, then I want to jump on that train too!

Accomplish one goal in order to accomplish more goals 

If I didn't push myself to accomplish this goal within the time frame I gave myself, I would never accomplish any of my goals. I'm sounding over dramatic, I realize! I'm just saying that if I didn't follow through, then what would push me to accomplish my 5 year, 10 year or 15 year goals in life? I need to take myself serious before anyone else can take me seriously. 

Living Reality 

To be completely honest, I have two jobs in San Francisco and if anyone knows the Bay Area, the commute to the East Bay is a crazy one! Prepare to join my pity party in 3...2...1... 

Living in the East Bay is about an hour away which wouldn't be a problem if the BART Train didn't stop running around midnight. I felt like freaking Cinderella trying to catch the last train before I get stuck in SF. I could drive in, but the parking is an expensive pain in the butt. I work during the day at a tech company and at night, I work at a radio station. Most of the time, I'm working a concert and those end around midnight or 1AM. In order to continue working in the music industry, I had to bite the bullet and move. 

FOMO (fear of missing out) 

When you live in a big city with no responsibilities besides yourself, you have a million fun things to do! Being an adventure seeker and having been diagnosed with FOMO, this is a perfect place to be, for now. I'm too young to live a boring life and I want to experience everything the world has to offer. 

 

But first, coffee

But first, coffee

Sometimes, you have one of those days during the week when coffee does not do you justice. Oh yes, I'm talking about today. When I'm feeling extra lazy, I guarantee that you can find me in my boyfriend jeans filled with holes. Call it fashion or call it comfort, either way, my mother will tell you that she loves them. (haha maybe not)

 

Outfit Details: 

Graphic Tee: Target // Vest: BP by Nordstrom // Necklace: Forever 21 // Rings: Charlotte Russe // Watch: Charming Charlie // Jeans: Forever 21 // Shoes: Nordstrom

Photography by Stacey Chatfield

Halloween 2k15

It feels so good to be bad

I hope you all had a great Halloween weekend! Snapping back to reality is hard especially after such a fun weekend. So let's all get together and grab IV's of our favorite white chocolate mocha with an extra shot of espresso from Starbucks and get on with the work week. 

Here's a recap of my amazing weekend with my girls. We decided to go as Disney Evil Villains instead of predictable black cats or minions. I love the way our costumes turned out and guess what?! We didn't dress like skanks! Haha 

From left to right: Snow White's Evil Queen, Malificent, Ursula, Queen of Hearts and Hook. 

 The costume took 2 days to make and it only cost $52! 

Supplies: 

 

8 yards or purple tulle

4 yards of sparkle purple tulle 

2 yards of black velvet

2 large bags of stuffing

Black romper (already had in my closet)

Sea shell necklace (already had in my closet)

Black heels (already had in my closet) 

Black belt (already had in my closet) 

Crown

Trident 

Gold glitter spray

How to: 

1. The Tutu! I had a piece of black ribbon that I measured around my waist then cut 2 inch pieces of purple tulle to tie around the black ribbon. I then cut the sparkle purple tulle in longer pieces and tied around the black ribbon. 

2. GOLD GOLD GOLD! I used the gold glitter spray to spray on the trident and crown. 

3. I measured my waist (37 inches)  and divided it by 8 (8 tentacles) = 4 inches per each tentacle

4. I used wrapping paper as my stencil to draw out the tentacles and cut the velvet pieces.

5. I stitched the tentacles on the sewing machine and then stuffed the velvet pieces with stuffing.

6. I sewed the tentacles onto an old belt that I had.

 

 

BONUS: I was Mary Poppins the night before Halloween with my own clothes! 

Outfit Details: 

Hat: Thirfted (added flowers with a clip) // Shirt: white chiffon shirt from Forever 21 // Belt: Red belt from H&M// Skirt: Leather skirt from Target // Booties: Vince Camuto from Nordstrom // Purse: Michael Kors // 

Bow tie: From my costume box // Umbrella: Ross

Do you have a case of the Mondays

Do you have a case of the Mondays? 

                               

                             

Hat: Forever 21 // Tank: Charlotte Russe // Skirt: Lauren Conrad for Kohl's // Booties: Ambiance // Necklaces: Forever 21 

Happy Monday!!! 

Is it just me, or does it feel like this year has been flying by so fast? I can remember last December like it was just yesterday. At the same time, so much has happened! 

My train of thought is everywhere right now. (as many of you know about me) 

The other day, I met up with a group of girls that I've know for 20 years!! That's nuts! This might have stemmed my train of thought with the fast paced year. We all went to Catholic school together since kindergarten and have all kept in touch, which I think is pretty awesome and fairly rare. I love our sense of nostalgia and reminiscing on the dumb things we did as kids. 

This mini reunion inspired me to plan a real reunion with the rest of our class in the next few months. Where I will find the time to do this, I have no idea, but I'm really excited to catch up with everyone. 

 When we run into old classmates, the age old question remains, "So what are you doing nowadays?" Most of the time, the answer is used to judge others on their accomplishments or creating low self-esteem when you return home on your lack of adventure and efforts. 

We all know those feelings hold true, but I hate it. I hate that we judge others and ourselves when we run into old friends. We already keep up with these people through stalking social media to see the life they want us to see, but what's the truth? 

I also realized that although I don't think my life is very eventful and exciting to talk about, I should be proud of what I'm doing everyday. 

Currently, I'm working at a tech startup in San Francisco during the day, planning events and promotions for an alternative radio station, going to concerts every week, volunteering at Make-a-wish foundation, blogging, yoga classes and everything else in between. That's crazy! 

I realize I'm going on a tangent. I just want to know how we can change it? 

How many times do you run into someone and they say, "I saw on Facebook that you're in a relationship" or "I saw on Instagram that you moved back home with your parents". Haha where's the sense of mystery? Does that even exist or should we all just document our every move on social media? 

Don't get me wrong, I love social media! I love networking with like-minded people, creeping on my ex's and reading hilarious memes on @daddyissues. The content you're putting out in the world should really represent your true self and  remain positive and inspiring. That's my own opinion since misery loves company. So I'm making a vow to put effort into providing content that can inspire and promote a positive outlook in the world. Care to join me? 

I've got the Blues

Outfit Details:

Dress: Banana Republic

Shoes: Forever 21

Sunglasses: RayBans

Necklace: Forever 21